SPOTLIGHTMay 13, 2016

Blue Valley West High School, 16200 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, Kansas, Vol. 15, Issue 6A

Special Edition-Senior Mag pg. 3 Dr. Potts says goodbye pg. 4-5 Interesting statistics Pg. 6 2013-2016 Photo Gallery Pg. 8-9 “The map” Pg. 10 Messages from student leaders pg. 11-14 Spotlight Senior Columns Pg. 15-16 Senior picnic photo gallery

2 Contents

CONTENTS3 A Farewell to the Class of 2016 from Principal Dr. Potts4-5 Statistics about the Class of 20166 Freshmen Year to Senior Year in Pictures7 OurStaff8-9 “Going, Going, Gone...” Senior Map10 Messages from the Class President and the Student Council President11-14 MusingsabouthighschoolfromseniorSpotlightstaffers15-16 Senior Picnic Photo Essay

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don't give up though the pace seems slow-- You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out-- The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far, So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-- It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown –

A Farewell to the Class of 2016from Dr. Potts

3Contents

DOCTOR POTTS

Dear Class of 2016,

I want to tell you a little bit about my dad. He is a great and wise man. He was my high school foot-ball coach. He coached high school football for 34 years in my hometown of Bolivar, MO. Much like Coach Wright, my father developed strong relationships and a strong love for his players and they loved him back. Each year, my dad would get sad as another group of seniors graduated. He was always so proud of each of the young men. It amazes me to this day the sheer number of guys out there in the world who played football for him. A lot of them stay in touch with him. He knows about their families, children, and even grandchildren. He was truly a father figure for many of them and obviously for me.

Every year he coached, my father would write a letter for each of his graduating seniors, enclose a little card with a poem on it, and present it to them at the graduation ceremony. I have included the poem below. I’ve carried a copy of that poem on a plastic card in my wallet since the day I graduated from high school in 1985. Over the course of those 31 years, it has become tattered and worn. I’ve had to tape it back together a couple of times. But, I still have it. I don’t look at it too much but I don’t have to because I know it is there.

Hundreds of guys carry that poem with them every day. It is in the billfold of a CEO and founder of a company. It has been in the chest pockets of soldiers who rappelled into Iraq and deployed in Afghanistan. An Air Force pilot carried his in his cockpit during combat missions. A professional football player kept his in his locker. Doctors, mechanics, lawyers, businessmen, carpenters, teachers, engineers, farmers, mechanics, salesmen, and sailors, all hold on to the little card. Like me, they don’t look at it very often. They don’t have to because they know it is there. But, more importantly, they understand what it means. My dad knew that every one of his boys would face hard times in their lives. He handed them those cards on the last day of high school to remind them of the things he tried to teach them as players – to press on in the face of adversity.

This is the message I’d like to send you off with as well. You are a great class. Indeed you have left a positive legacy for our school. I care about each of you and I want you to find success and happiness in your lives, whatever that is for you. You em-braced the concept of FAMILY. You showed great PRIDE in your

school. You have striven for EXCELLENCE. Great things are in store for you. But, bad things happen. They just do. Things don’t always go the way you want. When that happens, press on, show some GRIT and DON’T QUIT.

Best wishes and remember: Once a Jaguar, always a Jaguar.

Love, Dr. Potts

4Stats

CLass oF 2016 bY the numbers

332 338 317 322

Class Size

595,500 74

100,000sheets of paper on average trees

almost

sheets for Kansas schools

Senior year: 1Junior year: 0Sophomore year: 5Freshmen year: 5snow daYs

Fres

hmen

Yea

rSo

phom

ore

Year

Juni

or Y

ear

Seni

or Y

ear

Homecoming

Homecoming

Homecoming

Homecoming

Sweetheart

Sweetheart

Sweetheart

Sweetheart

Prom

Prom

Prom

Prom

Under the Big TopA Night in the French Quarter

Parisian Rendevous

Under the Sea

the great gatsbythe Queen oF Hearts

Viva Las VegasArabian Nights

GLowcomingA Night at HogwartsCity oF fountains

A Midsummer Night ’s Dream

408sheets per student

Freshmen Senior

In one year, we have used...

===

In four years, the average student has used

1,632sheets of paper

700overschool days

Grace LamarManaging Editor

5StatsgraduationClass Day Graduation Who Decided?

Speaking

Performing

Ali McGuire

Erin KapaskaIsaac Witte

Mrs. Modelski, Mr. Brutto, Mrs. Legrotte, Senior Class Officers

Maha Abouodah Carly McDonaldMr. Baxter, Ms. Waldorf, Mrs. Legrotte, Mr. Brutto, Senior Class Officers

Bijan Esfandiary

AccoLades GuideMedals Stoles

Cords

Jaguar Pride Coalition*

National Merit Finalists

JAG Mentors*

National Honor Society

French National Honor Society

*not worn at graduation

J M

Quill and Scroll

National Art Honor Society

Mu Alpha Theta

German National Honor Society

Rho Kappa

Spanish National Honor Society

Science National Honor Society

Youth Court

CAPS

Grace LamarManaging Editor

6 ?

Remember who you were so you can figure out who you are.

7Spotlight seniorsSpotlight Staff

Carly McDonaldEditor in Chief

Grace LamarLeah ZimmerliManaging Editors

Rebecca AbrahamRyan BarrettJohn ByrketBeth Gasser

Shaye HermanEditorial Board

Jaden DudreyMelissa FrananoMara HennessyStephen Kinder

Madeleine C. LewisChloe MaherAlexis Melson

Dana NasrJonah Park

Mikaela SchmittAlexa Turiello

Contributors

Frankie SkinnerFriend to Spotlight

Spotlight is printed six times a year for the BV West students and community. Its goals are to inform, entertain and interpret through editorials and bylined articles while providing an open forum of communication for the diverse student population and faculty members. Spotlight aims to be fair, accurate and impartial. The content of the publication is determined by its student editors as determined by the Kansas Scholastic Press Act and may contain controversial subject matter as the staff exercises their First Amendment Rights. Spotlight does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the faculty adviser, the administration of Blue Valley West or USD 229.

Spotlightsenior tributes

These members of the Class of 2016 have spent a total of 32 semesters in Room 233 writing stories about important issues and people around our school community. The next several pages are their chance to write from the heart about their lives, their friends, and the future.

Maha AbouodahSasha ArteagaSaif BajwaChristopher BazellJake BishopJosue BlasWilliam BrabstonMcKenzie BrummitJack CampbellCallan CantrellAli ChabukMaksim CheranovEmily ClowIsabel EubanksValerie Fabregat-UhlmannKendall FallElizabeth FergusonAlexandria FordDillon GranthamMegan GrenkeSydney HendinEmily HerndonMirza IbtedaEhsan JavedGrace LamarMackenzie LawrenceZachary LaytonElizabeth LiuHarrison LuoTaylor McBeeEthan McCesneyDanielle MitchellBhakti ModiChristopher MorrisEmma NelsonEvan NorkeyRobert Norris

Brendan Baier Stuart BennettEmily CouseWilliam CoxAnna DeutschSlavi DillaneIsabella DillonLillie DimondIsaiah FunkAlassa GevanniGavin GingrichHannah HallNathan HannersLauren HartsMara HennessyWilliam HolsappleJack HorningMary Irwin

Bradley KattSuzan KhalilDana LicariAnna LickteigShadon MandleyJoy MarbleAlec MillsAustin MorrisBrandon NastavJulie ReinhardtKelsey RiceRiona RugovaErin SchauerMadison ShaferTrevor SimpsonSloan WaltersDustin WarrenChandler Wright

Pittsburg State UniversityAndrew CarrilloElizabeth FrazierErin KapaskaAlexis MelsonJulia MountShayna SouthardMcKenna Yanik

University of ArkansasMorgan BrewsterDevon DuranJacob FeuerbornSydney GonzalesWhitney HoeltingLandon KappHunter LopezAlisen McGuireMegan McNuttDerek NeubauerAbigail RobinsonAlexander RonnebaumJack Walton

GO1NG,

University of Missouri–kansas cityPiyom AramoonSam BagbyAlexis LarsonBrittany PetersJordan Toft

University of MissouriLauren GarciaJoseph GildenIsabella ManganZoe NordstromConnor RegisterHayden SmithChristian Tschippert

Iowa StateJordan Cowen Jacob LaBauBlake LopezJacob MelookaranKami Pankratz

Coffeyville Community CollegeAustin Brunk

University of Central MissouriJoel BettisColin HermanSydney SkibellRyan Smith

University of MississippiEmily EngelkenRyan Kennedy

University of Nebraska–LincolnKylie KuskaHannah SmithAshley WillisShannon WillisElizabeth WilsonEmily Wortman

Texas Christian University Jacob LansfordTexas A&M UniversityJared Laubacher

Alabama

Arkansas

California

Indiana

ArizonaArizona State University Alena JensenUniversity of ArizonaErin Zipse

University of AlabamaDelaney DemmingBryson DietzMitchell LaubeSarah LeechBenjamin Viestenz

University of California–BerkeleyTony ChengBenjamin GliddenIsaac Witte

California Polytechnic State University Kyle SjoblomEthan Thompson

Colorado

University of Southern CaliforniaMarin HodgesJack Ingram

San Diego StateAllison Franano

Colorado School Of MinesKeely GrosvenorColorado State UniversityDanielle LaughreyAshley Lane Marrs

Iowa

Indiana UniversityCarter LeeSydney Poteet

University of IowaDalton BurnsKyra HassmanCourtney SchmittElizabeth McCandless

Georgia

Illinois

Kansas

Loyola University ChicagoBrendan McGrawPaula Walewicz

Missouri

NebraskaPepperdine UniversityRebecca Abraham

Cali BankerDominic BarcaroloPaige BeckerKatherine BenefielSteven BoehmerMichael BotchwayWilliam BowersockEmery BraunRoss CappoSabrina ClineWilliam DamewoodEmily DelventhalBijan EsfandiaryReese FisherCourtney FrockSamuel GrandonTerry GriggsGraham HunterGabrielle KohnleJordan KubickiTianyi MaMichael MabryAlison McCauslandRoss McFarlandAbigail MitchellRyan MorrisonWhitney NouhanDaniel Peacock Peyton PericolaLauren ReamsCole RichenburgMadeline RiedeConnor RiggsBailey RyalsJacob ShaferFrankie SkinnerAllyson SmithKennedy StevensMichael VarholaKristin Yankey

University of GeorgiaChase Adam

University of Colorado–Colorado SpringsAndrew Heiman

Texas

MinnesotaCarleton CollegeCarly McDonaldCollege of Saint BenedictBrigid Mark

Harding UniversityKayleigh Thomas

Northern ColoradoTaylor Lile

Undecided/UnknownSpencer Berard Edith EarnshawJacob FoilLauren HartJulia HuebertJustin Julian Colton Loeffelbein Sofia Martinez-LopezNathan MiceliAlan OganesyanMichael PepinSeth PineAustin SwoggerDominic TassioMichael WhiteMadison WinklerMichael Wright

Young Harris CollegeMadison Ring

McKendree UniversityAlissa ZeitelhackDepaul UniversityMadeline Johnston

Emporia State UniversityCaleb MoesJack DechantMorgan DeWalt

Mississippi

Independence Community CollegePaul Wolff

GOIN6... GONE

University of MinnesotaSritripura Talagadadeevi

Johnson County Community College

Adrieanna NorseGenevieve PateidlSrilahari PathivadaMatthew PerumalAmber PopoolaSomang SokEthan StoizeJohn StonestreetChris Torres-LopezAlexa TurielloMuhammad UsamaConnor YohonBritney Zappa

Kansas State University

University of Kansas

McPherson CollegeDi’jalone Hayes-Hall

Ottawa UniversityCody CamerlinckKollin Schechinger

AbroadVictoria Barthe [France]Elin Bergenbrink [Sweden]

Wichita State UniversityAndrew StoothoffMarshall JanuszewskiEmily Hennerbergz hair AcademyBailey Ellis

MichiganUniversity of Michigan Devon Arnold

Kansas City Art InstituteQuinn Coleman

Missouri SouthernRachel McCoyMissouri Welding InstituteWeston BakunasMissouri WesternJacob Diemer

Saint Louis UniversityJoseph McKenzie

UMKC School of MEdicineSherouk AbdelmoityDonya JahandarDivya JainAlexis LarsonAfeerah MalikLakshmi Priya

Northwest Missouri StateGriffin Lenihan

Avila UniversityColin Hendricks

Metropolitan Community CollegeAlex Edwards

William JewellMadelyn ComeauCaroline Seitz

Webster UniversityBeth Gasser

MontanaMontana StateElliot Stark

Creighton UniversityBailey GeorgeChris Torres-LopezJaden Zhao

New Hampshire

Wayne State CollegeSarah Hunter

Dartmouth CollegeHimadri NarasimhamurthyNew YorkCornell UniversityJacob WyrickNorth CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina Caroline Kennedy

North DakotaUniversity of North Dakota Ally McGillOhioMiami UniversityNatalie MullenIan TalleyOklahoma

University of OklahomaMcKenzie CunnynghamAndrew DickersonMadison UsherNathan WilesUniversity of TulsaKyle Seager

Oklahoma State UniversityHallie MossJacob Schram

South Dakota

South CarolinaWinthrop UniversityEvan Hailes

University of South DakotaMark Collins

TennesseeVanderbiltSachin Nuguru

Baylor UniversityErin SmeeLubbock Christian UniversityClayton Henriksenrice UniversityEmre Yurtbay

Southern Meodist UniversityTimothy Carr

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

Brigham Young UniversityJared Laubacher

University of Colorado–BoulderAdam Siplon

IdahoBrigham Youn g University Morgan Roberts

Virginia Military InstituteWilliam Koneczny

Gonzaga University Mia ObermuellerSeattle Pacific UniversityMargaret Lunn

Washington D.C.Georgetown UniversityMehul Mittal

Marquette UniversityNicole Alexis ReyesMilwaukee Institute of Art and DesignJason Thompson

Career EducationAntoaneta DillaneNicholas HarrisCade HudlerAdam Hughes

Gap YearDiego Fernandez PaoliSantiago Fernandez PaoliAmelia Hanners

Alternative

EmployedMaxwell WickorenSarah Wise

MilitaryJake Bryant [Navy]Noah Pollock [United Naval Academy]Hayden Shaw [Marines]

Welding SchoolEthan Paine

Carly McDonald, Editor-in-Chief, Grace Lamar, Managing Editor

Map courtesy of vectorworldmap.com

To the senior class of 2016- we made it. Here we are flipping

through the pages of our senior magazine when freshman year feels like just a few months ago. From the awkward middle school merge our freshman year, to these senior events we are enjoying in our final weeks here, we were friends. We all got along whether we met in kindergarten and grew up together, or met this year in some weird elective we chose. Not only were we friends, but we learned together. We learned that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, we learned a little alliteration lets the lesson linger longer, and we learned life lessons together. I hope all of us got something we can take beyond the walls of Blue Valley West. After we leave this place and head off to whatever is next for us, each of us will stumble upon memories from the time we spent here. It may be when we got up at 4:30 AM for morning practice, staying up all night to finish a portfolio, or when we spent half

of the summer in the parking lot going through different marching formations. No matter what situation you remember, it will remind you of the work ethic and dedication we have been trained to put into our lives. A lot of people claim high school is pointless and once it’s over nothing will matter, and to an extent that is true, that homework assignment probably won’t decide your future. But what we went through here will carry on to whatever is next. So when you reminisce on your high school career when you’re 47 years old, remember how corny the word “grit” became, remember our class competitions, remember our games and our meets, remember cramming equations into your brain, remember your performances and the cool things you made, and finally, remember you were a Jaguar. I can’t think of a better group of people to graduate with. I’m honored to be your student body president, and I wish all of you the best of luck in the future. GO JAGS!

Everyone says high school is the best time of your life. I don’t

know if I would say “of your life”, but these past four years have definitely left a lasting impact on me. The friends I have made and the things I have gotten involved in have taught me so much. Being in Student Council and JPCo gave me leadership skills in, and outside of school. The lessons we learned in class taught me not only responsibility, but respect. These lessons I have learned are the things that couldn’t come from a Powerpoint or a worksheet; they had to be learned through experience and I am grateful I was able to discover the traits that will help me in life beyond the walls of West. The experiences and memories that have come with high school have prepared me for the next chapters of my life. I would not be where I am today without my amazing teachers, the people I met along the way and friends the friends I have grown up with. As I am reflecting over these past four years I am wondering what our class’s legacy will be. What will remain of us after we are gone? I have come to the conclusion that even though we all checked out after spring break, both literally and mentally, I hope as we graduate and move onto the next phases of our lives, Blue Valley West will remember the class of 2016 as one of the greatest. From our many national merit scholars, to scholarship athletes and everyone in between. We are one of the most

spirited groups to ever walk the halls of BV West. This alone will be what lingers with the underclassmen after we are gone. They see the love we have for West and for each other, and I hope they look up to us for that and see what I see. We have put in our time and work and now it’s someone else’s turn to take on all we leave behind and carry the legacy we have left, even if it’s not exactly what we have in mind. So Class of 2016, it’s been real and high school has been fun, but as we all start on a new journey remember that time has no regard for anyone and to cherish it. I will miss everyone and I am so lucky to have gotten to be a part of this class. It’s been a pleasure being your President and I wish you all luck in the future and for a final time Go Jags!

Carter Bryant

Whitney Hoelting

W hen I was a freshmen, I believed in universal truths. I wanted to believe

that the world had a code that could be cracked with enough logic, philosophy, and passion. I wanted to believe in the power of the human mind to comprehend the seemingly incomprehensible. So Rudyard Kipling’s “If–” was immensely appealing. “If–” is unequivocally my favorite of Kipling’s works, for its finesse in dealing out universal truthdoms like cards on a friday night in Vegas. I only recall two things in my time capsule from freshmen year: a necklace, and this poem. “If–” was exciting to me. People talk about how difficult high school can be, how hard life can be, they regret and bemoan all that could have been and I was frightened of that future for myself. I looked at “If–” as a map to ensuring that my life would be fulfilling and rewarding...that I would not have any regrets. So I studied it religiously, memorized each stanza til I could recite it in my head. I had been given the ultimate prize: the guide on living the perfect and meaningful life. So I treasured it. Since my freshmen year, I’ve

grown as a person. I’ve spiritually fallen into and out of and back into faith, religion, and spirituality several times. I’ve emotionally matured (at least a little bit). I’ve physically strengthened into gravity, walking sturdier, surer. And

intellectually I now understand the value of the research reports we would do weekly in Mr. Bingman’s freshmen honors biology class; I realize that the things that stick with you never come from the

textbook, but come from listening in your class to your peers your teacher. And now I look at this poem, re-read my favorite poem from freshmen year, one of only two things that I remember from my

time capsule, and I don’t feel the sense of urgency I did when I was a freshmen. Now that I’m older, I see that Kipling’s desires for his son are misguided and small-minded. He hopes his son can become a “man” and that he will own everything in the world (for evidence on why the second point is a problem, look at Kipling’s other work: White Man’s Burden). I can’t disagree with Kipling’s first three and a half stanzas, they are all beautiful advice. But it’s the end of the poem, where Kipling tries to explain the universal truth that comes with being a virtuous person, that’s problematic. The meaning of living a virtuous life should be left for each person to decide. I hope we all find something meaningful that will inspire us to live life to the best of our abilities. Don’t settle for other people’s idealizations

and dreams. Dare to dream greatly for yourself.Thank you, Class of 2016.We’ve made it.

11Musings from Staff

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,If you can meet with Triumph and DisasterAnd treat those two impostors just the same:.If you can bear to hear the truth you've spokenTwisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,If all men count with you, but none too much:If you can fill the unforgiving minuteWith sixty seconds' worth of distance run,Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

An excerpt from “If–” by Rudyard

Kipling

Carly McDonald

12

Grace Lamar Most seniors have anticipated graduation since the moment they received their schedule

junior year. Yet, as graduation nears, I feel like the preschooler I once was. You know, the one who digs in her heels as her mother quite literally drags her out the door. Graduation signals both an end and a beginning, and I’m sure I will echo the thoughts of most of the Class of 2016 when I question, Am I ready for it? We may never feel ready. But I’ve tried to embrace the new and scary things; I know that eventually your heart will return to normal beating, your palms will be dry, the unknown will be familiar, and you will feel certain again.

BV West has provided me opportunities to grow, to strive, to change, and to explore the person I may one day become. I still don’t know quite who she is--

if you see me in ten years, stop and ask. Most of all, high school has helped me realize what I care about.

I love this city. I love that our only snow day this year was for the World Series Parade. I love the bend on I-35 North

where the skyline comes into view. I love pointy shoes and back gates. I love bear hugs,

Mexican food, wriggling puppy butts, and inclusion. I love the hope in the stars. I love everyone who has helped me on my way at BV West.

To the incoming freshmen of BV West, to my fellow graduates, and to those who also find themselves at

both an end and a beginning, I say this:Keep your eyes open and say yes. You won’t

want to miss any of it.

University of KansasHonors Program

Rebecca abrahamS

ince the start of freshman year, I begged my parents to move every single day of the four years I endured in this state. My parents never once stopped to take me

seriously, that is, until second semester of senior year rolled around and they announced that we were moving across the country to Oregon. At first, I was so relieved to finally leave this place until leaving made me realize how much I’m going to miss it. I truly regret not appreciating my time here enough because amidst the sleepless nights studying for AP Biology tests and freshman year drama, Blue Valley West is where I found my passion for social issues, it’s where I became a part of youth court and newspaper and was able to use my voice to write about topics that were important to me. It is where I found my voice, and for that I will always be grateful. Looking back at the typical worries of a high schooler, from being a new student on the first day of lunch to partnering up in a class where you knew no one, seem so far away. High school taught me that things will always seem scarier in your head than in real life, you should never be afraid to put yourself out there, and wholeheartedly go after the things you want. I have truly come to love this place and will sincerely miss the wonderful friends I have made, the teachers I have had the pleasure to learn from, and memories that I will never forget here at Blue Valley West.

13Musings from Staff

E ndings whether they are happy or sad, mostly end in tears. High school felt like

four years of a constant battle between David and Goliath, the student and the school. End-less struggles, emotional and educational, emerged and were slayed, with the ultimate reward of graduation. Looking back those never ending nights filled with homework, those stress filled days when I had to talk about a book that I barely picked up; do not seem as important. What does seem crucial to me when I reflect is when I sat next to someone who I never spoke to, when I made decisions that were made to benefit myself and not to please friends and peers. Those choices were more im-portant, than anything else I did. They showed me who was a true friend, someone who supports you through everything; someone who answers a call at 3am to con-sole, or to just listen to a funny

story. Those moments made an impact on a me, who is just girl trying to find herself and a niche. A girl who during her first two years of high school was pres-sured by adults to be assertive and do what makes HER hap-py. Eventually at the end of my sophomore year I began to tell people what do and gain respect because of that. Then two years later I am grateful for those peo-ple who told me to speak up, to get out of my comfort zone, to do what makes me happy. Reflecting back on my high school career is a bittersweet time. I am excited to meet others that share similar interests, but I will miss seeing my friends smiling faces every-day. I decided that I cannot be an adult, I do not know how to do taxes or take care of myself; but it is now too late to fail all of my classes and be a super senior. It has been a great time Blue Valley West, thanks.

Mara HennessyThrough my time in High School, I have learned that all things are worth trying, even when it seems like a waste of time. When I entered BV West, I was alone and I didn’t have many friends. After a few weeks, I was approached by someone in my gym class and from that day on, we had been great friends. However, a few years later, I lost them, and I believed that losing them was worse than if I had never met them. But, I was wrong, because meeting them made my life worth living after my horrible experiences throughout my life, and it is because of these experiences that I learned why I am who I am, and I would never trade those experiences for anything in the world.

Beth Gasser

14

M y high school career has been an interesting experience that I would, in some cases,

like to experience again as for some moments I’d rather try to forget those memories. Although I did not have the greatest high school experience I will still cherish my favorite memories, some embarrassing, others funny, and some shared with friends. I know that high school is the last time I’ll be in school while still living with my parents, and it’s one of the scariest things I have to come to accept. I will no longer be able to just go into the next room to ask my mom a question or ask for advice. I won’t be able to say goodnight

to my parents in person every night. But I am glad to be leaving school and heading into college. In some ways I feel like I’m ready to live on my own and meet new people and in others I feel like I don’t want to leave the place I’ve called home the past 17 years. Although I’m ready to leave I won’t forget all the people here at BV West who made me who I am today. All my friends that I met in elementary, middle and high school, who I’ll stay in touch with for most

of my life. I’m also grateful for the staff for all the hard work they put in everyday to make sure I knew everything I would need to know for college and the rest of my life. High school has been an amazing journey but right now I’m ready to start the next journey my life has in store for me.

A s high school comes to an end, a surreal feeling washes over

me as I look back over the last 4 years. Every memory, good or bad, made from freshman year up to the last days of senior year will always be something I keep with me as the next chapters of life start to unfold. The students and staff of Blue Valley West have helped shape me into the person I am now and I am happy to have been apart of this school. Each lesson learned will still be used as the journey continues and life moves forward into something bigger and better. High school may be a never ending roller coaster with all kinds of ups, downs, and loops, but in the end it is just what you need to

go out and conquer the real world. From athletics to clubs, BVW gives it’s students the opportunities to better the community and themselves. With graduation right in front of us, it is now our time to go out and shine with all that we have learned. With time becoming more and more limited, it’s our job to not waste our own life trying to live within someone else’s. It is never an option to let other people’s words and choices drown out your own, but to embrace who you are and start making a difference. We must start to follow our own hearts and keep fueling the courage to persevere through any situation coming our way. It is no longer the time to be caught in planning for the

future, but to live in the now and take advantage of every opportunity. Now are the moments where we must learn to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep pushing for our dreams and goals. Though the homework load may become overwhelming and the classes may begin to grow harder, we are all capable of achieving greatness. As Bradley Whitford once said, “You have a choice. You can either be a passive victim of circumstance or you can be the active hero of your own life.” Now that the next chapter of our lives are unfolding, it’s up to us to make the best of it. Good luck BVW, and good luck seniors as you move on to bigger and better things.

Lexi Melson

Alexa Turiello

15?

Senior Picnic

2016

Photos byLexi Koch, Kayle Greenberg, Mariana Pulido & Sydney Rasmussen

The future holds bright things.