Issue 1 Sept 2013

Oak Park High School | Issue 1, Vol. 49 | September 2013

The Northmen’s Log Oak Park’s primary news source.

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things you didn’t know about Maus >>auto part thefts in school parking lots

staff & policies

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S e p t e m b e r 2013 | T h e N or thmen’s Log

Letter from the editor

Holding this small page in your hands must be a culture shock, I know. It’s pretty nifty though, am I right? You may be wondering to yourself, “Is this even the same paper?” Well, it is. Let’s just say that it’s just a little revamped.

I chose to change the paper after nearly half a century of broadsheets, which are those giant things you wad up and throw into your backpack because they won’t fit in your folders, due to the fact that this magazine-like paper is what the world is coming to know as the norm for papers all across America, especially in high schools. After going to a few camps and conventions over the past four years I’ve been at Oak Park, my returning staffers and I decided that this was a more modern look for a publication.

Not only is this cleaner, it’s also a little bit more appealing. With the old papers, you would see all of that text on the front of the paper and probably think, “I read enough in my five AP classes, I don’t need more reading mate-

rial.” But people love pictures, right?

In addition to the newspaper, a lot of new things have been happening in the first months of school. Inside this issue, you can find stories about our rekindled school spirit, our new administrators, and we can’t forget the new faculty members. Those are just a few of the great new traditions that we are creating this year.

With seven more issues coming out this school year, my staff and I would love to hear your feedback on the new paper. Please visit http://svy. mk/189bSC4 to give us your feedback, or stop by E134 with your letters to the editor! Have a great year and don’t forget to pick up a copy every month.

hannah williams>>editor-in-chief

13 On Thursday, Sept. 19, Pommies practice a dance choreographed by Pommie captain senior Shelby Fagan to prepare for auditions. The girls auditioned for every football and soccer game performance. maggie nolan>>managing editor

Our staff and our policies “The Northmen’s Log” will publish eight 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, by email to cgeabhar@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 of the education process of Oak Park.

Advertisers may contact the business manager at 413.5352, cgeabhar@ nkcschools.org, or 825 N.E. 79th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64118.

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

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

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

hannah williams>>editor-in - chief ; cover, con tent s , ar t , and features editor; writer and photographer mag gie nolan>>managing , news , opinion , and photo editor; writer and photographer gabie kreut zjans>>so cial manager; sp or t s , p eople, enter tainment editor

olivia eissler>>writer amb er houtman>>writer alondra novoa>>writer tessa mcginnis>>ar tist kelsey shannon>>writer and photographer brenen stansbur y>>writer and photographer christina geabhar t>>adviser

contents 1 news 2

Sep tember 2013 | Th e N o r t h me n’s Lo g

>>Hallways crowded >>Administrators enforce dress code >>Auto parts stolen from parking lot

sports

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>>Summer camp training >>Leadership in cross country >>Affects of high school rivalries

7 On Friday, Aug. 23, students hold up a flag to support the varsity football players at the jamboree at Northtown’s District Football Stadium. hannah williams>>editor-in-chief

features

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>>Students change attitude >>New principal brings hope >>OP changes for better

opinion

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>>Lumber Jack cafe >>Communications through technology >>iOS 6 updates to iOS7 >>Why I went “Veggie” >>Curfews: privilege or punishment?

people

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>>Swofford succeeds at basic >>Top 5 things you won’t guess about Maus >>Auto parts stolen from OP (continued)

5 On Friday, Sept. 13, freshman Nina Lindsey is lifted into the air by fellow varsity cheerleaders to support the football players against Belton. hannah williams>>editor-in-chief

On the cover: On Friday, Sept. 13, varsity football players make a tackle against Belton. Game score was 56-6 Belton. hannah williams>>editor-in-chief

recreation 12 >>Purity Ring emerges >>Wrists express students

photo essay 13 >>Pom practices for game

2 news

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S e p t e m b e r 2013 | T h e N or thmen’s Log

Administrators enforce dress code olivia eissler>>writer

What is the dress code here?

“Anything that doesn’t disrupt school or the learning environment,” said assistant principal Kirsten Clemons.

“The dress code is wearing anything that’s not to showy,” said freshmen Caleb Jefferson.

Jefferson has only been here for a few months, but since he has been “You must be dressed respectfully,” said Principal Mark Maus.

If a student is not following the dress code, they will be addressed one on one by a faculty member.

For a boy who is having trouble keeping his pants up, a teacher can either find a belt for him to put on, find another pair of pants that stay up, or a teacher may use a zip tie as a belt to keep the student’s pants up. If a teacher is addressing a girl about cleavage, a teacher may ask

here, he thinks that the dress code is not being enforced. So what really is the dress code?

The dress code includes not wearing clothing that portrays drugs and alcohol is not permitted. Any clothing that shows a student’s belly, undergarments, or doesn’t touch the waistline of his/her shirt is also not permitted.

her to put on a sweatshirt or coat, or provide something for her to wear to cover up.

Clemons said that having a dress code helps students get ready for the working environment.

What you wear to school should be respectful and shouldn’t disturb the environment at school. According to the “Oak Park Way,” students should always to be respectful.

Show this by wearing school appropriate clothing.

photo illustration by hannah williams >> editor-in-chief On Thursday, Sept. 19 a student follows the dress code by wearing appropiate clothing near the cafeteria. hannah williams >> editor-in-chief

Thieves find new ways to make money Auto parts stolen from parking lot hannah williams >>editor-in-chief In the past, there have always been reports of car break-ins. But now, thieves are taking a new approach to getting cash from cars.

According to assistant principal Chris Sartain, there was a catalytic converter stolen from under a car in the parking lot at OP. “It happened to a teacher before school started…just during the school day right around lunchtime,” Sartain said.

Catalytic converters are a platinum part on the underside of cars. Costs to replace can range anywhere from a small amount to a large sum of money; and Kansas City isn’t the only area with reports of them being stolen.

“In St. Joe, [thieves] take a battery-powered sawzall and go underneath your car and just cut it off, because it’s just two exhaust pipes,” said Josh Zufelt, store manager at O’Reilly Auto Parts in Gladstone. Zufelt used to work in St. Joseph, Mo., an hour drive to the north, where the thefts were reported.

The main job of catalytic converters is to make emissions from the car cleaner and safer for the environment.

“Its function is to remove pollutants,” Zufelt said. “The platinum in it basically attracts the ions in the pollution and the pollution binds on to the platinum in the catalytic converter. The platinum is what makes them worth so much, and that’s

It happened to a teacher before school started…just during the school day right around lunchtime chris sartain>> assistant principal why people steal them.”

Converters are expensive to replace, ranging anywhere from $50 to $1000, depending on the car, but they won’t do much damage to the car itself if they’re stolen.

“You’re just putting out more emissions if it’s gone,” Zufelt said, “but you might feel some lag while driving.”

While not a physical threat to students, it is still an issue to be happening in a protected environment, according to Sartain.

“You want people to feel safe here, obviously,” Sartain said. “Schools, statistically, are the safest places to be. I don’t think anyone’s life was in danger but it’s kind of… a personal insult when people can just come on to your property and start

taking things from people’s cars.”

Administrators made sure to warn the staff about the problem and to report anything “that looks suspicious.”

“Kind of what we talked to staff about was just don’t take anything for granted,” Sartain said. “[The thieves] might have even had a business truck with a phone number on the side of it, like they were here to work on the car. Or you know, if you know whose car it is, talk to a teacher or come and let one of us know if someone’s out there messing around with a car.”

While there hasn’t been any “extra man power” assigned with the thefts, according to Sartain’s knowledge, administrators and the school resource officer can be involved.

“Even if we were to catch him, as an administrator, we don’t have any authority over that,” Sartain said. “We get Cpl. [Scott] Archer involved and he kind of takes it from there.”

According to Dep. Sheriff John Bender, who was on duty patrolling the parking lot on Monday, Sept. 16, there was no knowledge of an auto-part theft that occurred.

For the rest of the story, go to page 11.

Sep tember 2013 | Th e N o r t h me n’s Lo g

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news 3

Hallways crowd, congest Walking from class to class, students might notice that the hallways are more crowded than normal. Many juniors and seniors notice that there is a significant addition of underclassmen.

According to the yearbook staff, there are only nine more students enrolled this year than last year. Students find it difficult to determine if it is a few more students that bring out the claustrophobia, or if it is the fact that other students stand in one spot for all of passing period.

“People just like to stand there and not move,” senior Tristan Ingram said. “People going straight to class instead of lollygagging around would make the hallways less crowded.”

Paraprofessional and former hall monitor Sue Donalson would agree.

“I really don’t see the hallways much anymore, but after school they’re a mess,” Donalson said. “It’s like swimming upstream trying to get through all of the kids.”

There are certain hallways and “hangout spots” that are more crowded than others. “[The halls are more crowded] at the bottom of the main stairs and in the center areas on both floors,” Ingram said.

Although many students and staff agree with Ingram and Donalson, second floor custodian Denny Lehman thinks differently.

“I think the halls are about the same as they’ve been,” Lehman said.

Lehman has been a custodian since 2000, when there were almost 2,400 students here, so he doesn’t have an issue with the halls as they are now.

“The halls don’t hardly get dirty at all now,” Lehman said. “[In 2000] over the summer we’d spend a whole day in one classroom cleaning marks off the walls.”

What students might not understand is that it is possible to walk and continue to talk to their friends. When too many students and groups try to stand in the corner of the hallway, some are pushed out into the center, making it difficult for those who try to cross the building in five minutes.

maggie nolan>>managing editor

Seniors Loyd White and Taylor King travel up the main stairs on Thursday, Sept. 12. kelsey shannon >> photographer Several students crowd the main stairwell between first and second block on Thursday, Sept. 12. “I just scream at them until they move,” senior Tristan Ingram said. kelsey shannon >> photographer

4 sports

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S e p t e m b e r 2013 | T h e N or thmen’s Log

sports opinion

The affect of high school rivalries Students everywhere have all experienced first-hand a good high school rivalry and how it affects us.

Getting excited for a game against a top rival seems more fun than any other game, but we take it a lot further. We step up our school spirit hoping that we get the chance to be the best against our worst enemy. We want to be able to have bragging rights.

Does this desire to come out on top push us to be better, or is it just all in our heads?

No matter the event, whether it is a football game, soccer game, band concert, or Scholar Bowl, schools everywhere seem to be using competition between another school as motivation for our own students to do well.

I’m sure all of us have experienced at least a

amy lehman>>freelance writer

It’s a given that when a common ground is present...a whole school can come together and play harder. amy lehman>>sophomore few “BEAT STALEYs” in a pep talk. The need for the title of champion against someone else is ultimately what can bring an entire school together for support, and it keeps an athlete or scholar in a

winning state of mind.

It’s a fact that Oak Park vs. Staley games in anything can get insanely intense. You have students painting up, pre-gaming, tailgating, and spreading the excitement over social media. All the excitement brings the school community closer.

It’s a given that when a common ground is present, such as a need to beat Staley, a whole school can come together and play harder and achieve their goals, or at least play or perform better than they ever have before.

Whether schools are competing in sports or academics, a rivalry against another school can bring an entire school community together and push those involved in the event to strive to play their hardest.

Cross country defines leadership

olivia eissler>>writer

“Leadership is when someone takes control in a very unassuming matter. It is an amazing quality,” said cross-country coach Kevin Torres.

There are many ways runners can be a leader in cross-country.

“A leader is a type of athlete that shows up to every practice, is a role model, and works hard.”

Torres said he sees leaders on his team when “older students assist the younger runners.”

Junior Maria Cerv has been running crosscountry for three years.

She defines leadership as “someone who takes charge, is a team leader, and is an example for everyone on the team.”

Maria sees herself as a leader on her team by,

“A leader is a type of athlete that shows up to every practice, is a role model, and works hard.” kevin torres>>coach “Setting good examples and leading and helping out the underclassmen.” She acts as the cross-

country team captain on her team.

Torres said he has learned from the leaders on his cross-country team, that there are “a lot of great people still out there in the world.”

Torres has become a leader himself by learning from, “a combination of 41 years of running, teachers and coaches.”

Leadership on the cross-country team helps them stay focused, to perform their best achieve their goals.

In the Raymore Peculiar Invitational on Saturday September 14, William Henry placed 15th in the 4A division. As a whole team, cross-country finished sixth out of 16 schools.

October varsity home sports calendar >>varsity football at home vs. Ruskin 10/11 >>varsity football at home vs. William Chrisman 10/25 >>varsity volleyball at home vs. Northtown10/8 >>varsity volleyball at home vs. Fort Osage 10/15 >>varsity boys soccer tournament at home10/10 >>varsity boys soccer tournament at home10/12

>>varsity boys soccer at home vs. staley 10/15 >>varsity boys swim at home vs. Rockbridge 10/5 >>varsity boys swim at home vs. Sedalia/Kearney 10/22 >>varsity softball at home vs. William Chrisman 10/3 >>varsity softball at home vs. William Chrisman 10/3

Sep tember 2013 | Th e N o r t h me n’s Lo g

sports 3

On Friday, Sept. 13, varsity football players play Belton away, ending the night with a score of 56-6, Belton. During the summer, football players attended weight training and held practices and scrimmages to prepare for the season. hannah williams>>editor-in-chief

Athletes train during summer

kelsey shannon>>photographer

Sweaty bodies, endless practices, empty water bottles. These are just a few of the things that make up an athlete’s summer.

Every summer, while everyone else is relaxing by the pool, each sport is in the midst of completing their own type of training. Whether it is for camp, a competition, or just the season in general, it is meant to prepare and make them a stronger team over all.

Brutal as they can be, each athlete seems to be thankful for the “torture” their coaches made them endure.

“It was completely worth it,” said senior Drew Bridges.

The football players completed practices every day except Friday each week in the blistering heat. They were preparing for the season, but according to Bridges, it’s really starting to pay off.

The cheerleaders were quite similar in schedule. They would have prac-

tice every morning, which was helping them prepare for the games, assemblies, and competition. It would get pretty stressful since lots of people got hurt. This caused them to redo the entire routine, but they pushed through it and grew stronger as a team “In the end it was worth it because we placed the way that we wanted to,” said senior Mikayla Ironwing-Samm.

As for the Pommies, they had a schedule to prepare for camp as well as the year in general.

“Practices during the summer were not as stressful as camp was,” said senior captain Shelby Fagan.

She and captain senior Erin Leatherman led the team to win first at an NDA camp at the Lake of the Ozarks.

On Friday, Sept. 13, freshman Nina Lindsey is lifted into the air by fellow varsity cheerleaders to support the football players against Belton. hannah williams>>editor-in-chief

6 feature

S e p t e m b e r 2013 | T h e N or thmen’s Log

Ch - Ch- Ch New principal brings hope gabie kreutzjans >>writer

“I want to set high bars for students because they can do it,” said Principal Mark Maus.

For the last three years, students and faculty have seen four principals, and many aspects of the school have also seen changes in regime.

“It’s important to work on students getting to initiate collaborative work, and not traditional ideas of what learning is,” Maus said.

Maus has worked at OP in the past, however a lot of things have changed since he was assistant principal last. Now as principal, he wishes to implement some ideas of his own.

“I want to take the step between classes,” Maus said. “Synthesize and bring them together to mimic environments students will experience in the future.”

OP changes for better brenen stansbury >>photographer This year there have been a lot of changes.

There has been a bigger emphasis on after school activities, and the blue crew and spirit bus have returned.

“It is important for all students to have a relationship with a teacher or adult in the school,” Principal Mark Maus said.

This year there will be more activities after school and they will be heavily encouraged. According to administration, it is important for students to take pride in their school and be involved outside of school.

It is important to administration this year to grab students’ attention and have at least one activity that will interest each individual.

“I want all our students to be vested in the school,” Maus said.

Maus said he hopes for a positive student energy and overall increased school morale. One example could be the blue crew; and when they are present at football games it appears to make everyone excited to support the school.

All the changes around the school are for the benefit of the students so they can feel involved and proud to be a student at OP, administrators said.

Also Maus said he wishes to have students be able to develop a plan for six to eight years after graduation. Though Maus knows these plans will probably change between now and then, he hopes it will help students be able to set a direction of where they want to be and what they need to do to get there.

“I will ask students to work till failure, as to learn new things every day.”

Maus said.

The idea is that even though most students are involved in extra-curricular activities, students will continue to challenge themselves and sponsors of these activities will work with students to meet the students’ needs, whether that be on an educational level, or on a more personal level to help students prepare for life outside of school.

feature 7

Changes Sep tember 2013 | Th e N o r t h me n’s Lo g

Students change athletic attitudes

kelsey shannon >>photographer Walking onto the field and seeing a sea of blue in the stands. If that doesn’t get an athlete pumped, then nothing else will.

The fan base that supports a team is something that was key to the school’s history. Northmen have been known for the amazing student section at football and basketball games.

This year, the student section hosts more and more fans, many who paint up and go to the games as a group and that was special to the players.

From a football player’s point of view, the spirit must be insane.

“It’s nice to see so much enthusiasm behind us,” said junior Josh Hoffman.

As a member of the varsity football team, he is one of the players who gets to run down the field during pregame with the cheerleaders and Pom-

mies, with the student section cheering them on.

“I can only speak for myself, but I typically do get a rush,” Hoffman said.

To be able to rally the student section is a pretty big job, but the cheerleaders can handle it. With the new cheers introduced in the last couple of years, the schools spirit has been growing and growing.

“It’s awesome to see everyone painted up or all spirited,” said cheerleader senior Sierra Bibler.

School spirit can always grow.

“Most people don’t know how important a fan base is to a team,” Hoffman said. “It really sets the mood and can change the outcome of our games.”

Left and above, on Friday, Aug. 23, seniors David Paffenroth, Nicolette Swofford, and Kyle Williams cheer at the football jamboree to kick off the season. hannah williams>> editor-in-chief On Friday, Aug. 23, senior Darrin Head and other students hold up a flag to support the football players. hannah williams >> editor-in-chief

8 opinion Lumberjack cafe, comfortable, crowded

S e p t e m b e r 2013 | T h e N or thmen’s Log

maggie nolan >>managing editor Although OP now has the nicest cafeteria in the KC metro area, I think it was a waste. I’m not sure the amount of money we spent to have a relaxing place to eat was worth the amount of food being wasted and students not having a place to sit.

“It was well known that our cafeteria needed to be redone,” said principal Mark Maus. “Kim Werning, who works at the district level for foods and nutrition, came up with the idea.”

There have been a lot of questions regarding the new cafeteria’s efficiency.

“I think it is less efficient because it gets crowded easier and the lunch lines are smaller,” junior Derek Onions said.

It is still debatable whether the cafeteria has brought more triumph or struggles.

“I feel the atmosphere brings a positive attitude and helps school morale from a positive standpoint,” said assistant principal Tim Johnson.

The cafeteria adds a relaxing feel to the school, and sitting at the nice tables and booths make eating lunch more enjoyable. That is, unless you can’t find a place to sit.

The cafeteria is estimated to seat about 100 less people. Without losing 100 students per lunch, this creates an issue for seating arrangements.

With an awkward situation at hand, kids have to sit with strangers or in the hallway. Sitting with a stranger doesn’t seem that bad, until you realize that

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with the era we are in, eyeto-eye contact has become almost painful for teenagers.

I personally have a friend, who brings her lunch to school to avoid the lines, save a table for us at the beginning of lunch. Without that advantage, I probably wouldn’t have a spot to sit by the time I got my food.

I have also noticed a large amount of food being thrown away.

I understand that it is a law that students must have a fruit with their entrée, but I think it’s unnecessary. Making a student grab an apple doesn’t mean he will eat it; most of the time it means he will throw it in the trash.

Although there are certainly negative aspects of the cafeteria, there is no denying that it looks very nice. It is a cool, sophisticated place to eat. It is the kind of atmosphere that I could study in. The district plans to revamp and redo Northtown and Winnetonka’s cafeterias next.

“They did ours this summer because we had the funds,” Maus said. “Everyone worked together to come up with the plan, and I think it turned out really well.”

Finding a place to sit has turned into a race, but now at least students want to sit in the cafeteria and try to beat each other to the booths. Just looking at it, it is a calm place, which goes along with the energy of the student body this year. It is perfect for OP the way it is now.

Communications through technology Our generation is the most technologically advanced of all time. Surgeries, transportations, and even food production has increased immensely throughout the past couple of centuries. These are all positives of technology, but our technological advances have increased the solitude of our lives. Talking to our loved ones is made easier, but is it an improvement from regular verbal communications?

In my opinion, I think technology has made our communications worse. It is so much easier to say something behind a keyboard; sometimes that’s not a good thing. Many people take advantage of being able say whatever they want and can get away with it. Cyber bullying has become a serious problem with our communications through the Internet. Having the power to speak anonymously without consequence through var-

donnie rudolfo >>freelance writer

We won’t know how to write.... Personal communications will rarely occur....

We’ll only see each other through pictures.... donnie rodulfo>>sophomore ious social networks can seriously hurt someone.

Mostly every child on any social networking sight has seen or has been personally cyberbullied, but our lack of communication skills stop us from

reporting or informing any type of adult about these problems. As a high school student who constantly uses the Internet for entertainment and social networking, I see these incidents of terrible insults from one person to another; but in real life, they wouldn’t say such harsh words.

Our youth have also gotten used to typing with improper grammar and spelling. This has started a trend of illiteracy throughout our world. Pretty soon, technology will take over every aspect of our lives. We won’t know how to write a proper letter to someone of importance. Personal communications will rarely occur between our people. We’ll only see each other through pictures and videos on Facebook. These are just my opinions, but take a moment and see through a different perspective, and think, “Has technology ruined our communications?”

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opinion 9

Sep tember 2013 | Th e N o r t h me n’s Lo g

iOS 6 updates to iOS 7 Big step for Apple’s design

For the past few weeks, Apple users have been downloading their new software updates and playing around with the features on iOS7. In the past, we’ve been accustomed to seeing bubbly, 3-D-type graphics and minimal animations.

But on Wednesday, Sept. 19, no more was the 3-D theme.

Being an Apple user for over a year and a half, I’ve gotten used to the plain theme, so when my friends and family got Samsung Galaxies or HTC phones, I got kind of bummed out that my look wasn’t as clean and as sleek as theirs. iOS7 has totally changed that. The font is comparable to that in this newsmagazine.

If you’re an iPhone 5 user, you’ll notice a few different updates, like the AirDrop feature that we use on the MacBooks. Unfortunately for 4s and 4 people, like myself, that’s an update we don’t get.

However, we do get new filters for the camera. It’s easier to use, and the nighttime pictures come out a lot better, though the megapixels aren’t changed.

hannah williams >>editor-in-chief

Double tap the home button on iOS6 and you would have gotten a boring display of the apps that aren’t completely closed or the ones you’ve recently used. On the update, this carousel provides pictures of what you have open on the phone. To get them to shut down, a feature I tried to master for hours, you simply take the picture and slide it up.

The new animations aren’t something to ignore, either.

When you open the phone, the apps seem to fall onto the home screen, and when you open an app, there’s a beautiful magnifying animation that takes you to the location of the app.

Overall, I think this is a huge step in the way of smartphone designs, having seen older versions and the newer Apple rivals. So far there’s no bugs that I’ve come across, so downloading it shouldn’t be a problem as long as you have enough space.

Why I went “veggie" claire winegarner >>freelance writer Going “veggie” is the new thing these days.

Ditching meat for greens is becoming a trend – for the better.

With over two-thirds of the country overweight, a wave of healthy eating habits is a step in the right direction. I’ve been a vegetarian for seven months, and it’s changed my life in so many positive ways.

For starters, I’ve never really liked meat. My parents would always nag me to eat more protein! Throughout my freshman year, I started to think more about the omnivore diet and its effects on humans and animals. I did my research,

and found some eye-opening sources, such as “Vegucated,” that changed the way I thought about my dinner. I always remember seeing baby chicks moving down a conveyor belt to a vat that welcomed their death. As males, they were deemed ‘worthless,’ and ‘unprofitable.’ These things hurt me.

Eating meat quickly became something that didn’t seem right to me anymore. Every time I would eat a bite of chicken I would feel guilt and gross. My meat intake decreased, and by February 2013 I was a full-on vegetarian.

Since then, I have cut down on junk food, eggs,

and milk as well. I feel amazing, both mentally and physically. I love knowing I am weakening the meat industry and keeping more animals alive and happy.

My hope is that, at some point in my life, I could be a vegan.

I hope my story can be a good influence on others. Even if vegetarianism is out of the question, try making some healthful changes to your diet.

Switch your white rice with quinoa, or your yogurt for Greek, or soy.

Every change you make will have a big impact on your body. A healthy life is a happy life.

Curfews: privilege or punishment sammie harbor >>freelance writer “I’m not a kid anymore, why are you still treating me like one?” It’s something teenagers have argued with parents about countless times: curfews.

For some teenagers, curfews mean adolescence. For others it never poses as conflict. It’s not as easy as coming home when the streetlights come on.

Parents, today, have become more lenient than they were 30 years ago because communication has become easier through the use of cell phones.

Many parents are ambivalent when it comes to this matter. Teens aren’t kids, but we aren’t exactly adults either.

How are we to grow into adults if parents don’t let us out of the nest?

Parents think of curfews as a responsibility; if you weren’t home on time, the consequences would follow. Many underclassmen have a curfew of 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. for weekdays, 12 am for weekends. It’s more freedom than

they’re used to, so little to no complaint. Upperclassmen aren’t excluded from having curfews; they’re the ones who usually have the most difficult time obeying them. Being 18 doesn’t mean you’re an adult as long as you’re living with your parents.

We need to find a happy medium that works for both parents and students, one that parents aren’t uncomfortable and anxious about. The parents aren’t all to blame, teens of all ages need to grow up and earn the privilege of having an adult-like schedule.

If we act like children, why shouldn’t we be treated as such? It’s up to students today to use communication and be mature enough to handle being out late. If your curfew is 9, don’t come home at 10. Chances are you’ll be even unhappier with your new curfew. Let’s face it - arguing gets you nowhere. Show you are almost an adult rather than tell.

10 people

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S e p t e m b e r 2013 | T h e N or thmen’s Log

Swofford succeeds at basic

Senior begins life after high school maggie nolan>>managing editor

Having only four days of summer vacation, senior Nicolette Swofford left

for basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. Swofford was stationed for 10 weeks, training her body for what the Army had in store.

“Basic training was easy for me,” Swofford said. I caught on fast and was “When we first got there, we had a 72-hour lockdown. We couldn’t write letters or have any free time. We got a phone call when we first got there to tell our parents our address, and we got a phone call every time we phased and on the fourth of July.”

There are four phases in basic training: red, white, blue, and a combination of the three. In the red phase, a soldier discovers herself and learn the rules of being a soldier. The white phase, lets a soldier continue to strengthen herself mentally and physically. Once in the blue phase, soldiers earn more freedom; it was a big honor to get there. In the red, white, and blue phase, soldiers graduate from basic and are officially a soldier.

Swofford’s friend of six years, senior at NKC High School Alex Mullins, had mixed emotions about his friend leaving.

“At one end I could not have been more proud of her, but at the other end I was kind of sad because I wasn’t going to be able to see my best friend all summer,” Mullins said.

Coming home, Swofford felt like a lot of her friends forgot about her.

“I mostly have a new group of friends now because I realized that my

already physically fit.

Swofford, along with all the other soldiers in Fort Jackson, had a set schedule for almost every single day. See graphic below for her daily schedule. friends for the past three years did some dumb stuff. I hated coming home at first. It was a big adjustment; I liked the routine at basic.”

Swofford’s personality has changed noticeably toward everyone.

“She is a stronger person as a whole, emotionally and physically,” Mullins said. “She is also a lot more respectful and mature. We are more honest with each other and more respective.”

After graduating high school, Swofford plans to go to Advanced Individual Training, AIT, to be a 74D, also known as a chemical biological radiological and nuclear specialist (CBRN).

“I’m going to attend Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for AIT for another 10 weeks. After I graduate from AIT, I’m going to try to reenlist to active duty,” Swofford said.

Swofford joined the Army because she didn’t see what direction her life was going in. She believes the Army put her life in the right direction.

Swofford said she was prepared and excited to start her life in the Army and to serve for the country.

Her daily schedule

Senior Nicolette Swofford greets her mother Anesja Duncan and step-father Bob Duncan on Friday, August 16. “It was exciting to see them again,” Swofford said. Swofford only made a few of phone calls home while at basic training.

Submitted by Susan Swofford

On Thursday, July 4, senior Nicolette Swofford does push ups as she smiles for the camera. “Basic changed who I am as an individual,” Swofford said. Swofford enjoyed the schedule she was given and working out every day.

Submitted by Nicolette Swofford

04:45- Wake up 05:25- First formation 05:45- Physical training 06:45- Personal hygiene 07:15- Formation: personal count 08:00- Training 12:00- Lunch 12:30- Training 17:00- Dinner 17:45- Extra physical training 18:55- Personal time 19:45- Mounting drills &

Accountability 21:00- Lights out graphic by Maggie Nolan

people 11

Sep tember 2013 | Th e N o r t h me n’s Lo g

Top 5 things you will never guess about Principal Maus Has three children: Hadlie, Ava and Quentin.

This is his 10th year at OP; used to teach math.

Played football, graduated from Northwest Missouri.

His favorite movie is Braveheart.

His hobbies are running and biking. graphic by hannah williams information collected by gabie kreutzjans

Auto parts stolen from lot continued from page 2

“That’s a pretty daring person to just take something from a parking lot while there’s a deputy sitting here watching it,” Bender said.

Archer also had no knowledge of the thefts, however, said “something’s going around.”

Since OP is in Kansas City, the crime had to be reported as a part of Kansas City Police Department. However, most students live in the city of Gladstone, adjoining Kansas City itself.

“We haven’t had an increase in either stolen autos or auto parts in Gladstone,” said Dick Cuneen, crime analyst for the Gladstone Police Department. “We have always had a problem with auto parts stolen out of them, but we get very few compared to Kansas City.”

Since Gladstone is in the middle of Kansas City, KC’s reported crimes always seem to be multiple times that of Gladstone, according to Cuneen.

“We’re totally surrounded by Kansas City and, for some reason, North Patrol Division on the west of us and Shoal Creek on the east of us will have two or three more times the amount of crime that we’ll have at any given period in time,” Cuneen said. “Why that is, we don’t really know.”

In terms of auto parts being stolen, according to Cuneen, there are many more cases of car break-ins.

“For some reason, people north of the river do not lock their cars. They park in the driveway, they leave them unlocked, they’ll leave the keys in

them, they’ll leave all kinds of important stuff in the cars,” Cuneen said. “Electronics, laptop computers, passports, cash, wallets. What we have are people wandering around the neighborhoods that are obviously just shaking the doors on cars to see if they’re unlocked. If they’re unlocked, they’ll look inside to see if there’s anything they want to take.”

Aside from catalytic converter theft, Cuneen had advice for students who drive cars to school everyday.

“For crying out loud, please keep the car locked,” Cuneen said. “Any valuables, just don’t keep them in the car at all or at least put them in the trunk where they can’t be seen.”

12 recreation

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S e p t e m b e r 2013 | T h e N or thmen’s Log

Purity Ring emerges into spotlight

When someone hears the words, “purity ring,” most people probably associate the noun with a promise ring or something related to a religious promise. I’m here to give you a different meaning to the term—a new indie band that is quickly gaining popularity amongst the younger crowds.

The Canadian band was formed in 2010 in the electronic pop genre and most Americans are just now catching wind of the duo consisting of Megan James, lead vocalist, and Corin Roddick, instrumentalist. Their first studio album, “Shrines,” was released last year and I must say I am a huge fan of the 11-track CD. The vocals are pretty strong for an indie band, but to make it big I would suggest for James to lose the raspy tone. Her voice is almost the equivalent of Ellie Goulding, the UK artist who has been on top charts for a while, but I think it could be stronger.

However, paired with the interesting and different instrumentals from

hannah williams >>editor-in-chief Roddick, I think her voice suits the part perfectly.

Roddick doesn’t use drums as a primary instrument for the band, which I think is a feat of modern technology. The beat is still solid for most of the songs on the track, including obscure instruments such as a tree-shaped instrument that Roddick uses during live shows for sound and lighting.

They aren’t a very well-known band yet, which some people would have you believe is a good thing. I, for one, believe that when a group hits the mainstream, sometimes they conform to what everyone wants, which is mainly the pop genre.

Overall, Purity Ring is an emerging band with so much potential to go from indie pop to mainstream. I thoroughly enjoy listening to them and jamming out while in the car on the way home from work. Their music gives me so much happiness—I can’t wait for them to debut into everyone’s ear buds across the country.

vogue.com

Wrists express students Bracelets support beliefs

Junior Samantha Rogers “On my left hand I have one that says, “Move over for Blake” for a truck driver, a gay pride one, and a blue amethyst bracelet that helps with headaches and dizziness. On my right hand I have one I made for Kingsville, my old school, one for my aunt because she likes the color pink, a chakra bracelet, a bracelet that has me and my girlfriend’s anniversary on it, one for a senior that died at my old school, and one for diabetes. “ maggie nolan>>managing editor

Junior Brittany Nichols “They support cancer for my little bother and my cousin.” maggie nolan>>managing editor

Junior Josh Alspaugh “My girlfriend made [the bracelet on my left wrist] for me because she’s a beautiful person; and she loves me with all her precious little heart. My friend Zachariah gave me the pop tab bracelet because I was staying at his house and he’s a good person.” maggie nolan>>managing editor

Sep tember 2013 | Th e N o r t h me n’s Lo g

photo essay 13 The pom team practices their dance in the small gym on Thursday, Sept.

19. “It’s kind of stressful, but it sets goals,” said senior Alex Mikic, talking about trying out for every dance.

“We aren’t just given the part so it’s a good feeling knowing that we worked for it and that we earned it.” maggie nolan >>managing editor

Pom practices for game

Captain senior Shelby Fagan leaps through the air on Thursday, Sept. 19. When asked if she likes trying out for dances in pom, Fagan replied, “Yes, if you don’t know the dance you shouldn’t be dancing.” hannah williams >>editor-in-chief

Juniors Tiffany Grazda and Samantha Shaffer and seniors Shelby Fagan and Laura Wuthnow practice their kicks. “I thought [joining Pommies] would be a fun way to end senior year,” Wuthnow said. This is her second year on the team. hannah williams >>editor-in-chief

The pom team practices their dance on Thursday, Sept. 19 in the small gym. “I haven’t danced in two years, so it’s kind of impressive that I’m doing OK,” senior Laura Wuthnow said. maggie nolan >>managing editor

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