The Northmen's Log, March 2020, Vol. 55, Issue 3

TNL The Northmen’s Log Kansas City, MO Issue 3, Volume 55 March 2020

Want to know about students most inspiring teachers? read pages 8-9 Cover real.indd 3

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Letter from the editor

Hey, Oak Park. I’m Emily Byrum and I’m the Photo Editor for “The Northmen’s Log” and I’m excited to bring you the third issue this year.

On our cover this issue, we have a feature on inspiring teachers. Students nominated teachers and a group of four teachers reoccurred multiple times.

We decided to feature our girls basketball record breaker Paige Allen. We discuss her future plans after leaving Oak Park and her inspirations throughout her basketball career.

This issue, we also decided to feature vaping. The feature includes where it all started and how administrators deals with it.

This issue, we reviewed a restaurant in the City

Lindsey Dunaway, Editor-in-Chief Ivonee Morales-Meija, Copy Editor Emily Byrum, Photo Editor Kelsey Abunga, Staffer Luka Ashton, Staffer Parker Bensyl, Staffer Adrian Berry, Staffer Hannah Butts, Staffer Haydenn Gallagher, Staffer Nathan Nance, Staffer Kayleonah Trumble, Staffer Christina Geabhart, Adviser

Staff

Publication information “The Northmen’s Log” will publish four times during the school year. “Log” staff strongly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. Freedom of expression and press are fundamental values in a democratic society.

Therefore, “Log” encourages readers to participate in the discussion by submitting Letters to the Editor in Room E134 or by email to christina.geabhart@

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Market called Pigwich.

With the upcoming bond on Tuesday April 7th, we talk about how Oak Park will benefit from it and what is coming up in the future.

We decided to feature our theatre departments spring play “Clue!” where we talk about how the choice was made, and what they have done to prepare for the show.

Lastly, on the back cover is a story on prom prep. The story includes how they’ve raised money this year, and about how some festivities have changed.

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please talk to us in our room E134. Thank you.

nkcschools.org. Letters cannot exceed 350 words and must be signed. “Log” will not run letters that are libelous, obscene, or that may cause a verifiable disruption to the education process at Oak Park.

Advertisers may contact the adviser at christina.geabhart@nkcschools.org for more information.

Subscriptions are available at $20 for a mailed copy, $10 for an emailed PDF version, and $25 for both.

Opinions expressed in “Log” do not reflect student, staff, or district endorsements of that opinion, product or service.

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

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Table of contents

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Sports // Morales-Mejia

A PA I G E OF HISTORY

How Allen made her mark in NKCSD basketball history

by Copy Editor Ivonee Morales-Mejia

The game against the Park Hill South girls basketball team will be a historic moment in senior Paige Allen’s career. The game was not only a win against the Panthers, but it quickly became one of Allen’s favorite memories of her senior year.

“My 2000 points was the big celebration that

we had during the game and after the game and it just felt amazing, all my teammates and fans coming up to me and just to watch that special mo-

PAIGE 1ST MAG COPY.indd 2

ment it really meant a lot to me,” said Allen.

Allen got her start in basketball by coming from a family of basketball players. Her mother played for Florida State University’s women’s basketball team and her father played for Park University men’s basketball team.

“My parents, they’re really involved and they both played basketball so it’s just kind of been in the family and they got me going on, and I just loved it from there,” said Allen.

There are also basketball stars the young player looks up to as well.

“I really looked up to Kobe Bryant [late NBA player and two-time Olympic gold medalist]. I know he’s passed, but he just really took the game and made it special,” said Allen “I also look up to some WNBA [Women’s National Basketball Association] players like Brittney Griner [Phoenix Mercury and Olympic gold medalist], and Maya Moore [Minnesota Lynx and two-time Olympic gold medalist], and some past players like Lisa Leslie [three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medalist].

Watching them really helps me with my games.”

Head coach Zane Tanner said Allen is a leader in her own right.

“She’s done a lot of things for our program and she’s unselfish, she’s one of those kids that’s a

great leader, tries to get everybody involved, and she’s a great person on top of that,” said Tanner.

Allen plans to continue her basketball journey with a full-ride scholarship at Texas A+M, Corpus Christi, with an interest in working as a zoologist or wildlife biologist after college.

“I go out and kind of watch the bandwidth, like are you yelling at your teammates or you encouraging your teammates, you know you’re doing the things that a teammate would want you to do,” said Texas A+M Corpus Christi assistant coach Darren Brunsen. “She was a quiet leader, she doesn’t say a lot, but you know you can really follow her lead,” While Allen says goodbye to Oak Park, she leaves a legacy in the North Kansas City School District.

At 2,418 total points for her career, Allen now holds the all-time points record for both genders of basketball across all four high schools in the district.

“I just really want to see and meet the person that comes and breaks my records, that’ll be an amazing person and just the impact that Oak Park has left on me,” said Allen. “They’ve given me lots of confidence and love here and it’s gonna be different when I leave but I’ll definitely hold on to that.”

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503 freshman 568 sophomore 614 junior + 733 senior 2,418 Overall Points

“I just really want to see and meet the person that comes and breaks my records, that’ll be an amazing person and just the impact that Oak Park has left on me,” - senior Paige Allen

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Sports // Morales-Mejia

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The girls varsity basketball team celebrate their first-ever Conference Championship win on Wednesday, Feb 26. (photo credit Chad Valadez)

For the first time in forever

by Copy Editor Ivonee Morales-Mejia

The girls basketball team celebrated Wednesday, Feb. 26, with cake and punch as they congratulated on the seniors’ careers with their families there to cheer them on for their senior night. However, that wasn’t their only reason to party that night.

When the Oakies beat the Ruskin Golden Eagles for the first time in the team’s 45-year history; they won their first-ever Conference Championship.

“Well it was also senior night, so we were already like hyped up and ready to go,” said senior Paige Allen. “And we knew it would probably be an easier game, but we still went out there and worked hard, we wanted it, and we got it, and we just celebrated, and we’re still kind of celebrating now, but the feeling is definitely good.”

While it was an accomplishment for girls, for some of the seniors on the team, this game was their last regular-season game before graduating.

“It’s bittersweet, I was happy when we won but it’s kind of sad when you think about it being your last regular-season game,” said senior Whitney Hon. However, for the underclassmen players, it was an accomplish-

ment for them and it set goals for their future as a team.

“I mean, I’m pretty excited for what I think my team can accomplish in the next three years or how long, so I’m excited to see what happens,” said freshman Madison Moore.

According to girls basketball head coach Zane Tanner, the Suburban Conference is made up of Oak Park, William Chrisman, Belton, Ruskin, North Kansas City, Fort Osage, and Raytown high schools. The school that wins the most conference games of the 12 games is named the champion of that year.

“North Kansas City High School has won our conference for several years in a row,” said Tanner. “We’ve had a really good year along with Paige Allen being such a good leader and player for us and that the team has done really well,” The game ended with the girls cutting down the nets, a tradition for the Conference Champions.

“I was definitely thinking of, if we won then we cut down the nets and just how cool that would be, but we just had to focus and that was just the main thing, just focusing on the game so we could win and then celebrating after,” said sophomore Lynsie Bishop.

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Feature // Dunaway

It’s not cuul to JUUL

Administrators warn about the dangers of vaping

by Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Dunaway and Staffer Kayleonah Trumble With enticing flavors ranging anywhere from blueberry to menthol, teens are tempted to pick up bad habits at an early age.

In the current decade, vaping is a nationwide problem that has been through a series of law changes.

Recently, a new federal law passed changing age restrictions on nicotine. Under the new law, people must be 21 years old with proper identification to buy any nicotine-related products.

“When the word got out finally about smoking being so bad for you, and once that finally caught on, tobacco companies started going down,” school resource officer Justin Linard said.

“How do you find a way to get more (photo illustration by people to buy your Lindsey Dunaway) product; to get addicted to nico-

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tine, whether it’s through smoking or vaping. So they came up with the idea of hey let’s get some e-cigs, some vapes. Let’s flavor them, because a lot of the complaints for people smoking was that it tastes bad, makes your clothes smell bad, all the negatives that go with it. So with e-cigs and vapes and stuff they’re like well, look at this. It’s just water vapor and we can flavor it.”

Since the JUUL was first released in 2015, vaping has become a popular trend. Originally, the theory was that vaping was safer than smoking a traditional cigarette; however, recent health discoveries like “popcorn lung” have come to prove that those theories are inaccurate.

“I think because it’s so new, we don’t really know all the effects that it has.

But what a huge red flag it should be that someone has actually died from just using it for a year. That’s big. And then how popular and how widespread it is. I imagine there’s probably half, if not more of the students here that have done it [vape], or that use it regularly and we don’t [ know] the implications. I know it’s not the worst thing you can do. I don’t judge people for it really, I just know that it’s an issue because they’re going to set themselves up for failure because they’re going to get addicted to nicotine and then kicking that habit is hard,” Linard said.

There are also marijuana vapes called dab pens which use the wax form of THC for a more intense high.

Currently, recreational marijuana is illegal in the state of Missouri so that

form of vaping can get you into legal trouble.

Vaping is overall a widespread problem that occurs at school too.

“I mean it’s [vaping] to the point

This is a nicotine vape that was confiscated by school resource officer Justin Linard. (photo by Parker Bensyl)

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Feature // Dunaway

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This is a THC dab pen that was confiscated by school resource officer Justin Linard. (photo by Adrian Berry). On the left is a photo illustration of a JUUL pod. (by Lindsey Dunaway)

where there have been times where we’ve shut down restrooms for periods of time because we feel that that may be an area where students are going to vape and spend a lot more time in restrooms, which sounds kind of weird but just like just passing through, and making sure students are seeing us,” Principal Chris Sartain Ed.D. said.

With vaping being a schoolwide issue, there are consequences in place.

“When we do catch a student vaping or are aware of a student vaping, having that conversation with them making sure they’re aware of, you know, how it can be harmful to them, how that can impact their day and the amount of freedom they have at school so just really trying to have those conversations and try to help partner with them to just make better decisions around their own health.”

Sartain said.

A potential negative of vaping is addiction.

“The feeling to need it [is the worst part] because if you don’t have the money for it, it’s more money that you have to spend on it,” said sophomore David Marion*.

Addiction may be a challenge, but so is saying no to peers.

“The term ‘peer pressure’ is is kind

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of part of it but I think it’s just when, when your friends are doing it and it’s really important whenever you’re in high school that you’re not singled out, and you want to belong, you want to be accepted into whatever group and so the kids that are in the group that you hang out with, if some of them are doing it, some people will do without hesitation just because they want to belong,” Linard said. “They don’t want to get singled out or they’re uneasy with like criticism or sometimes there’s just not enough confidence to say, ‘I don’t really want to do that.’”

The cost of a JUUL device costs

between 35 to 50 dollars, and then a four-pack of JUUL pods costs $15.99.

Over time, that cost builds up to a large amount of money spent on nicotine products. “[I wish I wouldn’t have picked up on it because of] the money part for it, and it’s not a good habit to get into because it could affect how you think and live,” said Marion*. *David Marion is not an actual person. His name was witheld to protect his identity.

“But what a huge red flag it should be that someone has actually died from just using it for a year. That’s big.”

-school resource officer Justin Linard

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Feature // Ashton

The unspoken heroes at school

by Staffer Luka Ashton

Teachers can have an irreplaceable impact on the lives of their students; they can leave marks on students that last a lifetime from pre-K to senior year. Through the stressful moments and frustration, to the joy and breakthroughs, teachers support the students.

Students were asked which teacher is the most inspiring to them and a choice four came up many times.

Caring

Social studies teacher Jake Voos’ students mentioned his open classroom and his interest in everyone who walks in his classroom as reasons why they found him influential.

“He has always cared greatly about his students and he takes a deeper look into the material and to what’s going on in the current world and to place that into our minds,” said junior Kaelyn Thompson.

Voos’ class takes an open forum way of education, where students are encouraged to think deeper into the material and always able to ask questions and engage.

Junior Luna Farris said, “He always allows students to put their input in class. Like, he allows them to debate and disagree with him.”

This classroom set up opens a lot of lines of communication, specifically as a social studies and sociology teacher.

“I try to be as real and authentic as possible. I love to allow just an open forum, you know, for students to be able to speak freely. My content allows that being a social studies and sociology teacher it allows that...to be authentic, and to be real,” said Voos.

Over his 22 years he has also formed bonds with his students, Thompson said, “he likes to talk to his students and likes to know what’s going on in their personal lives.

He asks me how I’m doing every single time I walk into his class.”

Right at home

Natalie Prater, an English teacher of 14 years, has built a homey atmosphere in her classroom.

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Theater teacher Matthew Ashpaugh monitoring his Theatre I class while they practice stage combat. Sophomores Dravin Bridgeman and Luke Leopold practice a flip together. “He shows us by showing us all the moves and stuff, and working with us to make it look real.” (photo credit Luka Ashton)

“I think Mrs. Prater is the most inspiring teacher to me because she’s so kind and thoughtful but at the same time she’s such an intelligent woman. The way that she thinks about the world and the way she treats other people. If we were all more like her I think the world would be a much better place to live in,” said freshman Ivy Byers.

Her classroom layout has the feeling of home with large chairs, and couches available for seating options for students while doing their English projects.

“It’s just more comfortable, it’s easier to focus in her class. There are not the bright lights and we sit on the couches,” said freshman Christina Biggs.

With this environment and Prater’s hands-on approach to working with students.

“She encourages me to push forward in challenging work and to do more stuff that’s challenging,” said Biggs “If I have a question, she’ll like get on it really quickly, instead of waiting.”

Prater focuses on building relationships with students before teaching.

Prater said, “I think relationships are one of the most important things a teacher can have with a kid because years later they’re not gonna remember a particular book we read, they’re going to remember how we made them feel.”

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Feature // Ashton

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Freshman Pierce Brown works with ELA teacher Natalie Prater on his English I project. “She explains what its about, what you need to do, and how to get there,” said Brown. (photo credit Luka Ashton) As social studies teacher Jake Voos gives a lesson on military history, senior Masen Draughon listens closely. “He’s a great teacher, he knows his stuff, he knows how to teach us he knows exactly what to tell us and how we learn that makes him a great teacher,” said Draughon. (photo credit Luka Ashton)

Challenging and passionate Theatre teacher and 2003 Oak Park alumnus Matthew Ashpaugh joined the faculty last year and is now in his eighth year teaching.

“It’s really kind of cool to finally be back where I’ve always felt like I belong. It’s my home, it’s where I started, it’s where I got my love for theatre,” said Ashpaugh.

Ashpaugh gained a love of theatre through his high school theatre director Shelly Blay, now he’s in a position to continue on and inspire his students in the same way.

“She’s the one in my junior year that really reached out and took a chance on me. That allowed me to really realize, wow I actually have skills here and somebody actually believes in me,” Ashpaugh said.

Now his students nominated Ashpaugh as the most inspiring teacher to them as he is often emotionally there for his students. Sophomore Kody Fisher said Ashpaugh

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always pushes him to be the best person he can be.

“He’s talked with me and talked me through a lot of things. I was going through some things last year and he really just helped me through that,” said Fisher.

While being able to support his students, Ashpaugh also enjoys having honest conversations and making sure he’s pushing them to do their best work.

“I like to be real and talk with them honestly. I don’t try to keep anything from them,” said Ashpaugh. “If something is rough, I’ll tell them it’s rough, that it is not looking good but then I give them ideas and try to push them in a way to where they can see what I’ve done, see what I do but then I tell them now create your own.”

Open lines of communication with his students allow relationships to be formed.

“Ashpaugh is the most inspiring teacher because he cares about each and every one of us in the theatre department. He wants to see us succeed and thrive and he will offer advice to anybody who needs it. If you need help outside of theatre, he is more than happy to help.

He always wants new people in his department and it is just always a welcoming environment in his classroom,” said sophomore Dani Hughes.

His students have found a home in theatre just as he did when he attended Oak Park.

Continued on page 10

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Feature // Byrum

Freshman Mila Andrade and biology teacher Trent Fuller work on a worksheet. “He normally just comes over and I ask him a couple questions about what some words mean or what I am supposed to actually be doing and he’ll come around and tell me,” said Andrade.”

Continued from page 9

Inspiring teachers lead to the finish Sympathetic

someone that really just doesn’t understand what’s going on he picks out specific details and all that and makes sure that you understand that. He’ll go over and over on a topic just to make sure you know what you’re Biology teacher Trent Fuller started teaching three doing.” years ago with physics until the physics first program Fuller said teaching opened his eyes in how he interwas replaced with biology first schedule. His students acts with people. nominated him for his compassion.

Fuller said, “I’ve made a couple of connections with “If someone in his class is having a bad day, he’s kids that definitely come from a different diverse backalways like hey it’s going to get better. You know, he’s ground than myself, that really made me reflect on how really sweet. He always tries to help kids out whenevI interact with students that like, that have really kind er they’re struggling,” said freshman Autumn Smith. of opened my eyes to what it means to come from that “There’s a lot of times, whenever I’m having a bad day background and maybe more accepting of it and underand he can tell he’s like hey everything’s alright. There are a few times “If someone in his class is hav- standing of it which has really helped my interactions with whenever I come in the next day ing a bad day, he’s always like kids.” after work, you know, he’s like hey hey it’s going to get better. You These experiences with varyhow’s work? And when I’m like it’s bad he says it’s gonna get better, know, he’s really sweet. He ing backgrounds allows Fuller’s classroom to be a safe space trust me.” always tries to help kids out for the students who walk Fuller has worked to engage whenever they’re struggling,” through the door. with each and every student who “He knows I’ve been strugcomes into his classroom, working freshman Autumn Smith gling with a lot of stuff, and he with them until they understand the tries to help me through that material, such as freshman Amelia and any, like, personal issue I McCoy. have,” said McCoy. “If I’m having, like, a panic attack or “He’s really good to students, he doesn’t get aggravatI start freaking out, he lets me take a moment, go out in ed with them easily and he’s really helpful when you’re the hallway, get a drink and come back.” struggling on assignments,” said McCoy. “If you’re

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Philly cheesesteak without veggies with a side of french fries from Pigwich. This delicious sandwich and side was just under $12.

by Photo Editor Emily Byrum

If you happen to come across the lively City Market, between the shops and restaurants, you’ll find Pigwich amongst the many choices available. Formerly located in KC’s East Bottoms, Pigwich has since relocated to the City Market in the heart of Kansas City.

The restaurant features the farm-to-table philosophy.

All their meat is curated at their local meat shop, “The Local Pig,” connected to the resturaunt.

As you arrive, you make your way up a couple of steps before entering. When you first walk into the meat shop, you’re greeted by the aroma of fresh meat like you would smell in a butcher shop mixed with the zest of their seasonings. As soon as you arrive there, the smell is amazing and the grill is always cooking up something delicious.

With various choices from Philly cheesesteaks, to burgers and sandwiches, everyone in your party is sure to find something they will love. Pigwich even offers vegetarian options as well.

With your entrée, you have the option of just the sandwich, or you can add fries, sweet potato fries, or homemade chips to your order. On the sweeter side, they have multiple choices of marshmallow bars. Which are made from crisped rice and marshmallow.

Once you order your food, you can either choose to eat outside on the patio or inside the restaurant.

Sometimes it is very loud, especially on the weekends

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Opinion // Byrum

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Fresh, local puts tasty food first

when it’s busier, so you have to listen closely so you don’t miss out when they call your order.

My favorite meal to get is the Philly cheesesteak without veggies with shoestring french fries and a lemonade.

The Philly cheesesteak is so juicy, the cheese just oozes off, and it is on the most delicious bread.

The french fries are very salty but still amazing. The chips are another one of my favorites, they have the perfect crunchiness.

All this food tastes just the same if you heat it up the next day. I took half of my lunch home for the next day and it still tasted amazing.

This place is a must-have if you are looking for a new place for lunch, especially if you are near the City Market.

One-third poundburger with fresh chips from Pigwich. You can get this amazing burger combo for just under $10.

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Feature // Gallagher

More than a stadium The upcoming 2020 bond provides Oak Park with more than just a field

by Staffer Haydenn Gallagher

The school and surrounding community could see a big change this summer if voters approve. For many months, plans and promotions for an upcoming $155 million, no tax increase bond have been made. District officials hope the plans will better the North Kansas City School District.

Many schools in the district will be getting upgrades and enhancements, but Oak Park may be renovating some facilities with its $13.5 million portion of the bond. For example: an updated welcome center in the south student entrance, renovated restrooms, an added elevator, a new weight room that will give space to restore the third gym, and the main attraction and why many students want this bond to

pass - a new $4 million stadium complex with permanent seating, concession stands, restrooms, and an upgraded stadium press box.

“I feel like the kids at Oak Park and Winnetonka are at little bit of a disadvantage because they don’t actually have home games very often, other than maybe a homecoming game,” said Supt. Daniel Clemens, Ed.D. This stadium and improvements are not only the dreams of the students and parents, but also the staff as well. Since athletic and activities director Casey Vokolek, Ed.D., has been AD, he’s had big dreams for the school.

“I think for me personally, it’s exciting just to be a part of it. It’s exciting to be in the conversations of what that’s going to look like because you know

This is a an artist rendering of what the stadium, concession stands, and other amenities could look like.

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Feature // Gallagher This is an artist rendering of what the south student entrance could look like.

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“The district is looking at our facility and trying to improve it to ensure that all the students in North Kansas City have the same opportunities regardless of what school they go to,” -Supt. Daniel Clemens Ed.D. that’s going to be around for the foreseeable future, and so for me personally being an Oak Park grad, having gone here and now being on the other side, not being a student, being a teacher or administrator here, it’s just exciting to see us continue to grow,” said Vokolek. “For me, it’s just about making the school better than when I got here, and being a part of that.”

Many students and teachers are excited for these upgrades and improvements and want the bond to be passed because it would bring more morale, an engaged community, and school pride.

“Think about all the students that want to go to a game on Friday night or they wanted to go to a soccer match at Staley, but they don’t have a ride.

But if they live a half mile away or a mile away it’s much more accessible. So, yeah, I think you’re going to have a bigger turnout to the games, I think you’re going to have a bigger community turnout,” said Principal Chris Sartain, Ed.D. The bond will be voted on Tuesday, April 7, and will need North Kansas City’s support. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/NKCBond2020 This bond is the first in a series of bonds proposed in the long-term Facility Master Plan the school district has been working on recently.

Details for the plan are on the website.

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Feature // Bensyl

Who

dun it?

Six suspects and five murders makes one show

Senior Ashton Mychalczuk and junior Brenden Blue perform during a dress rehearsal on Monday, March 9. Blue, who plays a villian, said, “I know it does make me sound sort of like a diva at times but it’s exciting. It’s fun.” Blue also enjoys working with his castmates. “The actors I work with are so incredible so incredible. Anyone could have had just as big a role as I’ve been given. All of them are amazing, they know exactly what to do. They fit in so well and I couldn’t I couldn’t imagine that going any other way.” (photo by Parker Bensyl)

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Feature // Bensyl

by Staffer Hannah Butts

Don’t assume a lengthy performance just because there’s eight Death, mystery, blackmail and lead actors; the show extremely lies. No, this isn’t describing an fast-paced. episode of “Criminal Minds,” it’s “’Clue’ is definitely different about the spring play, “Clue” on when it comes to how quickly Thursday, March 12 to Saturday, everything is happening. Also, just March 14, come see the theatre how intricate the storyline is. Every department present a classic murcharacter der-mystery “‘Clue’ is definitely dif- almost has story loved by own ferent when it comes their many. storyline,” ju“Clue” is nior Brenden to how quickly everybased off the Blue, lead thing is happening.

1985 movie, character, which is based “Which Also, just how intricate said. on the Hasbro you know, is board game. the storyline is, every every play, The plot conbut this one sists of one Mr. character almost has is so detailed Boddy, inviting their own storyline,” that you six guests to really have to a dinner party, —junior Brenden Blue, pay attention in which he to it, and I unloads their secrets and a night think that’s kind of different than of mysterious murders begin. the others.” “’Clue’ is like taking the board Another way it stands out: the game, and putting it in real life, it’s set design. a murder mystery,” director Mat“I had the main idea for the set, thew Ashpaugh said. “You [audiI just needed some opinions to ence] have to figure out who the know where everything was going killer is, where they did it and with to go. I just started with a piece of what.” Just like the board game, paper and a pen, and it just came the fun is all in the suspense and to me from there,” senior student audience engagement. technical director Levi McKinney, “I picked ‘Clue’ because one; it’s said. Clearly, the theatre departa funny show. Two: a lot of people ment doesn’t take the easy route that I know that have done the when it comes to making a story show in the past have had a lot of visually come to life. fun with it. Three: I love the board “I love the idea for the set. I’m game; it was my favorite game really excited to see that come growing up,” Ashpaugh said. together,” junior Emily Morrison, Safe to say this show is unlike costume crew head, said. others previously done by the theGood things never come easy, atre department, one reason being though. “Having togetherness, the acting elements. working as a team, both have “The fact that this is a full enbeen difficult, at least at the besemble cast, and not every show ginning because, you know, in any is literally a full ensemble,” Ashcareer context when it comes to paugh said. “There’s usually like the theatre, everyone’s working at two or three people you can be their own pace,” Blue said. “Evlike, okay, that’s a lead, whereas eryone’s wanting to do what they this show there’s eight people that want to do, so when you need can technically qualify as a lead.” to come together and work as a

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team, you have different ideas.”

Time management was important, both on and off stage.

“When you are creating a giant mansion on stage, it gets difficult. I am also worried about time because I don’t have that many people on my crew, so I have to push the people that are on my crew to the level they need to be at.” McKinney said.

Each person was pushed to help better the show.

“This would be an easy show to costume, but Ashpaugh has a lot of dreams and aspirations that he knows I can accomplish. So, he has me doing a lot of reconstruction and revitalizing and stuff like that,” Morrison said. “He definitely challenges me in a good way. Like he challenges my artistic abilities and my work ethic in a way to make it better, but also to get the best possible result.”

Regardless of the struggles, this show is loved by many.

“I just love the show in general. ‘Clue’s’ such a great show- it makes me so happy just to be a part of it,” McKinney said.

The pressure is on.

“I really think that we have a lot to bring. And we have a lot to show. I want it to be as expressive as possible.” Blue said. “I just think that when everything comes together, I want other people to be inspired by this like I was with last year’s musical. I’m excited to inspire others.”

With all the (fake) blood, sweat and tears put into this production, it’d be a crime to not come out to see it.

“I think people will be missing [out] if they don’t. It’s going to be a lot of fun. If you enjoy the movie, it’s very similar.” Ashpaugh said. “I know it’s one of my favorites. It’s a cult classic. It’s something that I think people will be sad to miss.”

3/9/20 9:23 PM

You like my dress? gee thanks, just bought it by staffer Kelsey Abunga

Prom season charges close, leaving students anxious, excited and worried at the same time.

From students rushing to get the perfect hairstyle, to teachers planning the event so everyone can enjoy, this year’s prom promises to make history and some big changes are currently in the process.

Many different fundraisers are being held to help make this season special.

“To help fund prom, we arranged a fashion show. We showed off our outfits and it helped advertise what prom dresses David’s Bridal had. This helped pay for the place prom is going to rent,” said junior Jaya Deherrera.

The fashion show wasn’t the

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only fundraiser, many others were organized as well.

“Our next fundraiser is going to be a change drive, where we have a bucket for each principal. Whoever gets the most change will get pied in the face at the prom assembly,” Ellatar said.

For Prom and Homecoming royalty for the last two decades and more, the Student Council and The Axe broadcast show arranged wakeups, where they would arrive at a candidates house in the middle of the night and wake them up to announce them as prom king or queen candidates. However, the school district chose to end this tradition.

“We are currently talking with Axe broadcast advisor Christina Geabhart and the Axe team to

figure out some new and fresh ideas to announce prom candidates,” Ellatar said.

While this year may be different from most, students are still excited about this prom season. However, prom can be a very stressful time of year, causing minor panic as well.

“I’m most excited for the horrible dancing I’m going to do. But I’m also stressed about saving money, and not blowing it out,” said Deherrera.

Dancing isn’t the only exciting part about prom, but the preparation as well.

“I’m most excited for dancing with my friends and showing out.

But I’m worried about finding a dress, finding perfect shoes to match, saving money and the list can go on,” junior Diani Robinson said.

Some students have tips and hacks that could really help someone this season.

“I like to find dresses that are on sale. Thrift stores and discounted sections are also great places to shop. You don’t need to go to the extreme in order to look beautiful,” Deherrera said.

By popular belief, prom is one of the most memorable times of one’s high school career. While this time of year may be stressful, it is all worth it.

3/9/20 11:56 PM