march issue 2012

NORTH STARTH

E

Sophomore Hunter Hawkins has been

skating for about four years, competing in the U.S. and beyond, gaining skill and passion for the sport along the way. To find out more, turn to turn to page 10.

[02

INSIDEEditors-In-ChiefAlex GoldmanJessi Glueck

Online EditorMichael Hoffman

Photo EditorChristin Smith

Design EditorSarah Campbell

Feature EditorBerkeley Lovelace

News EditorReid Eggleston

Sports EditorDavid Tauber

Opinion EditorEllie Holcomb

Entertainment EditorLiz Gaa

Business ManagerSarah Evans

Multimedia EditorAli Fallucca

IllustratorBerkeley Lovelace

PhotographersAli FalluccaFrancine Gollub

Staff WritersSarah EvansLily LiebermanChris ShanklinHayley BergerRachel AndersonEvan WatsonDanny RosenbergOlga DeckmanAshley Ruben

AdviserMelinda Gilman

The North Star Staff:

Follow us on Twitter! Receive news updates as well as sneak peaks of what will be in the upcoming issue by following @bvnnews.

thecover

Check out our Facebook page! You can find everything from BVN sports scores to DIY projects. For more information, visit The North Star Online page.

03news

03–New move for gender equality in sports: male cheerleaders

05sports

06–Find out which mascot would win NCAA March Madness07–Boys tennis preview

10feature

11–Mad scientists 14–Meet the Student Resource Officers

17entertainment17–What is slam poetry?19–Fratire: A funky fresh new genre of literature

22opinion

22–Funny BVN tweets: see what everybody’s really

talking about

Issue 7, Volume 26Blue Valley NorthOverland Park, KSMarch 30, 2012

The North Star is online! Go towww.bvnnews.com for online-only stories and updates.

February caption contest winners:

“The original cast of ‘Sesame Street’.” –Logan Nicolay, junior “Fine, you win the bet. I just really didn’t think these costumes would actually get us in the newspaper.” –Scott Fromm, sophomore

see pg. 6 see pg. 14

03the north star news 03.30.12

As students feverishly flip through calendars, eagerly counting down the days

left until summer, another group of kids count down the days to Victory Junction, a summer camp specifically for children with physical disabilities and diseases that prevent them from attending other summer camps. Victory Junction, originally located in Randleman, NC, is moving East to Blue Valley North’s backyard, burgeoning opportunities for disabled kids in our school. A new location is currently being built in Kansas City and is in the groundbreaking process. “We decided to open a camp in Kansas City so that children and their families from the Midwest would have a place to go,” said Ilene Jerwick, a member of the Victory Junction Board of Directors. Jerwick’s personal connection

with the camp began when her eleven-year-old daughter lost her battle with cancer. “Nicole was supposed to go to camp that summer and was unable to go because her chemotherapy treatments compromised her immune system and didn’t allow her to go to regular camp even though she felt well enough,” Jerwick said. Victory Junction is the alternative solution that families like the Jerwicks had been looking for. This non-profit venture has been so successful at its North Carolina location that

it decided to expand. Its schedule works on the the idea that each group receives a week at the camp. “Every week the camp will specialize in a different disease. For example,

children with cancer will be

there with other children with cancer and they and their parents will be able to share their experiences and help one another under the watchful eye of professionals,” Jerwick said. Victory Junction has adapted its facility to fit the needs of each individual child. They boast such

campy activities as handicapped friendly ropes courses, kayaking and horseback riding. Victory Junction presents a teaching moment for campers as well as counselors, who learn that life shouldn’t be about what they can’t do, but what they can do. “The financial support for camp must come from everyone. Donations from individuals and corporations are the only way a camp can exist in the Midwest,” Jerwick said. Though the camp isn’t open yet, students from North and around the area can help in various ways. “Blue Valley North students can help with the fundraising. They would be able to be part of a life-changing camp experience and would be able to enrich the lives of chronically ill children and their families,” Jerwick said.

After years of

consistency, the North cheer program is ready for a change. Not only has the cheer team hired a male assistant coach, but they now hope to become a co-ed squad. That’s right, boys are more than welcome to tryout for cheerleading. Head coach Kelly Walters is confident that by adding yell leaders, the squad will significantly improve. “It is always really fun to have guys involved with cheer. They provide extra strength and have more muscle that is needed to achieve bigger

stunts. It also makes the squad more like a family. The boys become like older brothers to the girls and the girls become like sisters to the boys,” Walters said. “Also, they’re really involved with spirit, and when a guy does something silly, everyone else will follow along.” Not only does Walters think this will benefit the girls, but she also truly believes that there would be lots of perks for the boys to join. “They get to be in front of the school a lot of times. They are constantly surrounded by girls. It is an experience that no guy can explain until they try it,” Walters said. Along with all of the fun that the boys may have, Walters claims that cheering in high school can provide great scholarships in college. “So many schools automatically give scholarships because yell leaders can be so hard to find. KU pays for housing and books; MU gives $85,000, and Pitt State usually pays $500 to $1,000 a year to guys that compete in nationals,” Walters said. Walters said that the senior boys in the Sweetheart Pep Assembly wish

they would have done cheer in high school. One of the boys, senior P.J Woodward, believes that cheer is an incredibly hard sport and vows to never again make fun of the cheerleaders. “Cheerleading is definitely a sport. It is really hard. After every practice your body aches because you are throwing people and running around,” Woodward said. “I would do it, if I were good at it.” While Woodward notes the difficulty, junior Hannah Vegvary is quick to point out the fact that with hard work and determination, anyone can cheer. “I love the idea of guys being on cheer. I think we need to show that anyone can do it [regardless of their gender],” Vegvary said. Alongside Vegvary, junior Alyssa Barbour has a positive outlook on the situation. “I think that if guys want to try out, they should. They do competitive cheer, so there is no reason why they shouldn’t do it in high school,” Barbour said. “It really could help with our stunts and stuff.”

Although most girls are optimistic, sophomore Shalice Lott hopes that there are no guys wanting to be on the team. She thinks this will make practices much less productive. “I think it will make our ability to get things done worse. Girls like guys and guys like girls, so everyone would just be messing around. That is something that shouldn’t happen at cheer practice,” Lott said. Still, where the boys would shine is the competitive drive they bring to the table. “I bet 90 percent of our guys couldn’t just throw a girl in the air and walk away,” Walters said. “They would want to do more. It is a sport that you never stop learning how to improve on.” “This is the one and only sport that both girls and guys can be involved in together,” Walters said “There is nothing else like this.” Tryouts will be held April 2 through April 5. Students interested should contact Walters at 913-284-2853. They also could message her on Facebook at BVN cheer.

New summer camp brings opportunities

Ashley Ruben Staff Writer

Rachel AndersonStaff Writer

Chronically ill children given chance at ‘Victory’

‘2x4x2 is 16, all for the yell leaders stand up and lean’

Boys on cheer will be able to make stellar stunts. Photo Illustration by Christin Smith.

Cheerleading squad invites boys to tryout for the team

Many students eagerly anticipate the coming of Victory Junction. Illustration by Berkeley Lovelace.

04 the north star ads 3.30.12

Creating your story at JCCC …

Johnson County Community College12345 College Blvd.Overland Park, KS 66210913-469-3803 | www.jccc.edu“Like” JCCC at facebook.com/JCCC411

“College is not the end goal;it is part of the journey.” Ben, Student

05the north star sports 03.30.11

things to know about long jumping

Drew HartzlerMost of us put away those seventh

grade track spikes when we realized track was more synonymous with

running than with socializing. So it’s almost amazing to think someone

Reid EgglestonNews Editor

witH track pHenom

could spend six years continuously leaping into a giant sand pit inching toward greater goals and find satisfaction in it. Enter Drew Hartzler: track team senior leader, state-team hopeful and master jumper.

Hartzler has found ways to win over the last four years–ways that have defied odds and turned heads. After a strong run at EKL last year, he’s ready to divulge his secrets to success.

“I stretch thoroughly, do some preliminary runs, I mentally prepare my brain so I don’t screw up. I would talk to my coach right before my run-up and he’d critique my routine if I’m psyched out. Then I go off what he says.”

“I always have my little ritual. I lunge backward then I walk on my right leg and start a slow bound. That pace gets faster and faster, bouncier and bouncier until I have high knees, then I’ll jump and hopefully I’ll fly.”

“If you’re thinking about jumping, do it. Coach Attig is a beast. He’ll help you get better at whatever you want. There’s off-season conditioning and you get to see Kevin Tenny in there. He’s usually lifting–he’s a big dog.”

“You shouldn’t knock it before you try it. I’ll force you to run down the runway, but you’ll like it if you try it. We play in sand and makes castles sometimes.”

“Triple jump anyone can learn. It’s more about form. Long jump is more about body type. I’m tall and

lanky, which are are definitely pluses. The same is true for high jump. My coach thought I had the specific body type.”

1

2

3

“Flying is joyous. There’s different moves you can do in the air but they’re equally as glorious.My favorite is the hitch kick, which I feel has made some of my jumps ridiculously far.”

5

4

6

Photo illustration by Ali Fallucca.

Page design by Sarah Campbell.

6

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There is no other way to put it, North tennis may never be the same since Jack Sock

graduated. That, however, is not stopping the team’s efforts to reclaim the state title. “Last season everyone expected us to be the best based on the players we had,” head tennis coach Ann Dark said. After the graduation of three repeat state champions, spots atop the ladder opened up. Two sophomores, Alex and Mitchell Samuelson, hope to lead the tennis team to a fourth consecutive state title. “We lost a lot of good seniors,” Mitchell said. “I think that as long as we don’t lose any of our regional spots to Shawnee Mission East, we stand a good chance at state.” “The guys have been working really hard in the off-season,” Dark said. Returning for their second season, the two enjoy taking time from their tournament circuit to play with the

07the north star sports 03.30.12

Sometimes I chuckle when coaches fatalistically encourage the student body to watch their

teams. Because the student body is so repeatedly dubbed as unspirited, the administration even offered an incentive to cheer on classmates. If a premium parking spot can’t inspire super-fandom, I think we are all doomed to a drab, bummy existence. Each time I hear that piercing word, “unspirited,” I wonder where it came from. Maybe they measure fanfare by event attendence. That is a bad idea. In fact, trying to put a quantitative value on spirit is silly. You either have spirit or you don’t. Fact: bleachers are practically vacant at many North sporting events. The truth is that no one really enjoys trailing a golfer for 18 holes or wafting in chlorine for two hours. The same is true for just about every sport beside football, basketball and soccer. Few enjoy watching any sports besides those, and it’s not fair-weathered or a crime. I challenge whoever compiles the bogus spirit ratings to measure our spirit where it counts. They will undoubtedly find painted faces, themed crowds, and students storming the court. If wins count toward the final tally, consider us top-dog, for North excels beyond the country club strata. Busting the myth that the student body is unspirited won’t be simple when it is professed at every pep assembly. Sometimes the best solution, however, is to block out the erring voices and just observe. Was the school warned for excessive celebration? Did you lose your voice at a sporting event? Can you name the girls soccer starting lineup? Well, neither can I, but am I unspirited?

team. They rejoined the team March 26 after playing a tournament in Tulsa, Okla. Throughout the year, they are busy with road-trips and lessons, so they find the tennis team an outlet from the high-stress environment that typically occupies their playing time. “It’s fun to be on a team for tennis when it’s an individual sport,” Alex said. “For high school tennis, I cheer people on. I motivate people. It’s more about the team and bonding.” Last year, Mitchell placed third in doubles at state with graduate Shawn Khosla. Now that Khosla is gone,

DeepMeaningful

Conversation

[Dave’s D.M.C]Brothers accept passing of torchNorth tennis dynasty lives on

David TauberSports Editor

David TauberSports Editor

Ode to spirit

“There is a certain dynamic between siblings playing doubles.

Sometimes it’s there... and

sometimes it’s not.”

there’s an empty slot for Mitchell’s doubles partner. An identical twin duo may fluster some opponents, but the two are unlikely to pair for doubles. “There is a certain dynamic between siblings playing together for doubles,” Dark said. “Sometimes it’s there, like the Bryan brothers, and sometimes it is not.” “We probably won’t play together in doubles because we always end up getting really mad at each other,” Mitchell said. The brothers are fierce rivals, each reluctant to concede that the other is a better or equal player. “I am better. He probably would not [agree]. I have been above him the whole time. It’s fun because I can just taunt him all the time,” Alex said. Spirits are high on the tennis team as the Samuelson brothers enter the core of the season. See them face off against private school powerhouse Barstow on April 3.

Mitchell Samuelson (left) and Alex Sameulson (right) are expected to play third and fourth on the varsity ladder this season. Photo by Ali Fallucca.

08 the north star sports 03.30.12

Think of a sport that is more physical than football and more exhausting than soccer.

Stumped? The answer is rugby. Senior Hank Shetlar, who has played football and soccer at North, says that rugby is the most physically demanding sport that he has ever played. “Rugby is a mix between football and soccer except without pads, and the game doesn’t stop,” he said. “There are 15 players on each side, [and] you need to be in shape because it’s just 80 minutes of constant tackling.” Shetlar has been playing this sport for the past three years for the all-Blue Valley team called the Blue Valley Rugby Club. Although he enjoys the sport now, his primary motivation to play rugby came from his dad. “My dad played [rugby] for 12 years and coached the sport for 20 years,” Shetlar said. “He played at Pitt State and Washburn in college. [Then] he started a team in downtown Kansas City called City and played for them.

He told me that rugby was a lot of fun, but he also said that it was really tough.” Tough may be putting it mildly. Shetlar said that fights often occur between teams during the course of games as emotions run high and tempers flare. He is glad to have a supportive team behind him. “My favorite part about rugby is the brotherhood on the team because when a fight breaks out, you know your team has your back,” he said. Senior Matt Boresow, who was recruited to join the team this year by Shetlar, also enjoys the sport for its brotherhood. “Playing on a rugby team is fun, and I enjoy making tackles,” Boresow said. “[In rugby] almost any play could become a breakaway [so]...I know that if I can stop the other team from scoring for a few seconds, my teammates will have my back as soon as they can.” Shetlar and Boresow’s club is a talented team as it has placed second

and third in the state in the past two year. “The team started because there were coaches in the Blue Valley district who wanted to give back to the community,” Shetlar said. “They wanted to teach the high school students to love the sport like they do.” Shetlar enthusiastically wishes that more students would play rugby for the team. It still needs more people. Shetlar admits that rugby isn’t as popular as other sports, but he believes that this can be changed. “Everyone talks down on rugby,” he said. “They talk down on it without knowing what it’s all about. I want people to get a taste of the sport because then they’ll love it like I do. Play rugby.”

Michael HoffmanOnline Editor

Rugby playeRs eaRn theiR stRipes

leaRn theJaRgOn

Much like in football, the only way to stop an opponent from advancing the ball is to tackle him. Once any part of the ball

carrier has been brought to the ground, the player who got tackled must release the

ball resulting in a free ball.

tackling

scRummingWhen either team commits a minor infraction, the game is stopped and restarted with a scrum. Scrums involve eight players from each team who attempt to win possession of the ball with their legs.

lineOutsWhen the ball goes out of bounds, the ball is put back into motion with a throw-in. The teams line up close to each other and lift players into the air (left) to compete for possession of the ball.

Sarah CampbellDesign Editor

09the north star ads 3.30.12

Check us out online for more pictures, stories and exclusive content!

www.bvnnews.com

10 the north star feature 03.30.12

Boarder skates to success

The gray ramps, stairs, rails and ledges littered with cigarette butts and crushed

Monster cans might not even elicit a glance from those who drive by. To sophomore Hunter Hawkins, though, the skatepark is the haven where he practices his passion: skateboarding. Hawkins began skateboarding about four years ago, looking for a hobby that was unique, challenging and fulfilling to connect him to friends. “My friends at school were all smart and musical....After a while I started drifting off of that. My friends started doing skateboarding and biking, and I was like, oh, you know, that’s kind of cool. I guess my older friends got me into it,” Hunter Hawkins said. While friends helped Hawkins get involved in skateboarding, the intricacies of the sport kept him intrigued. “There’s no rules per se. I mean, yeah, there’s a level of difficulty to it, it’s really hard. But after a while, it’s the level of difficulty that gets you more interested in it. Skateboarding is more individualistic, and it allows you to express yourself in a more

creative manner,” Hawkins said. Hawkins also plays soccer

and has played football in the past, but he finds

skateboarding to be more challenging and consuming.

“Skateboarding has a more dedicated feel [than soccer]. If I go to a soccer practice, it’s because I have to. I’ll skate whenever I can. It’s one of the things I love doing most in life,” Hawkins said. Hawkins’ unique hobby sets him apart from other teens–he laments that he has trouble finding anyone at North who is serious about skating. Also setting Hawkins apart, though, is his unique upbringing. Hawkins was born in England. He has lived in London, New York and Miami, and has traveled to six continents. He said the constant moves didn’t keep him from reaching toward his goals, and he began competing in Miami and elsewhere. “Freshman year I went to Amsterdam [for] a competition, and I got second in that, so that was pretty cool,” Hawkins said. “I got invited by one of the people who ran the competition, so my mom said ‘All right, you get to go, but you’d better do well’, so that was motivating.” Hawkins is traveling to California this summer for a skating trip, and will spend the rest of the school year training.

Hawkins gained support from his mother and attention from the skateboarding world. After success in a demo for a professional skate team in downtown Miami at the age of 13, Hawkins was approached by a skate shop, which was impressed by his

potential. “I’d get clothes and wheels from them,” Hawkins said. “I would represent their company, I’d go to contests under their name and occasionally do

a little ad for them, that was pretty cool.” To improve and work toward his ultimate goal, skating as a career, Hawkins heads to the skate park most days after school. On one of these days, he attempts a particularly challenging trick involving a ramp, six stairs and a board flip, falling a total of 28 times in an hour as he gets the hang of it. “One of the things I hate most is trying a trick for hours and hours and not getting it,” Hawkins said. “But then that moment of getting it is very cool.” That afternoon in the skate park, Hawkins falls a 29th time. He gets up, remounts his board, and tries again.

Ellie HolcombOpinon Editor

Sophomore travels and competes to reach goals


“I’ll skate whenever

I can. It’s one of the

things I love doing

most in life.”

Boardslide Kickflip

Ollie off a staircase

TRICKSOF THE

TRADE

11the north star feature 03.30.12

[Lovelace ties it together]

On Feb. 26 George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Fla., shot

unarmed African-American teenager Trayvon Martin who was on his way home. Zimmerman claimed self-defense and was not arrested for lack of evidence in the case. Since the incident, Martin’s parents and social media have lashed out with anger and confusion, demanding to know why Zimmerman has not been arrested. President Barack Obama has even stated,“If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon,” and addressed his own thoughts on the situation. Despite the eeriness and possible racial undercurrents of this case, I find most disturbing the fact that Zimmerman followed Martin with a gun and the possible intent to use it. People shouldn’t just see this as a possibly “racist” man killing a “black” boy, but also an adult clearly having no qualms about shooting a kid. People are angry because Zimmerman is being portrayed as a racist. Perhaps we should be angry because a 17-year-old was shot by an armed adult for walking down the street carrying Skittles and iced tea. Even if this had nothing to do with profiling, as Zimmerman suggests, he shouldn’t have taken action into his own hands. The unsafe use of a weapon shouldn’t be disregarded or go unnoticed. Bitterness and tension remain over the complete shock of the incident. Meanwhile, the Chief of Police has stepped down temporarily because of public pressure to arrest Zimmerman. We shouldn’t criticize this case only because it’s a startling murder, but because of the lack of steps taken by law enforcement to bring justice.

Florida murder angers teens, adults

Liz GaaEntertainment Editor

The science of successScience research students compete at Kansas City fair

Some of the competitors at the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair by their award-winning displays. The awards ceremony was held at Crown Center, an exciting event for the winners. Photo by Sarah Campbell.

Peering through the windows of room 100, one is confronted with the sight of overflowing

lab tables, student cubbies exploding with piles of paper and projects approaching completion. This is the classroom devoted to Topics in Science Research, a class for budding young scientists and a mecca of sorts for the brightest science students. “It’s such an individualized class,” teacher Jan Cyr said. “As long as they’re making good progress and meeting goals, all they have to do to get credit is complete a project and do a presentation.” Each student picks a different project to research and experiment on throughout the year, to be presented at one of two fairs. For many students, this is one of the hardest parts of the process. “My original plan was to find a cure for Alzheimer’s,” Laurel Thomas said, only half joking. “But apparently you can’t do that in high school. I just had so many ideas but no application.” Having an application for your findings was an important part of the class, as well as the science fair. “I’m using dyes made out of flower petals and pollen to see the effects of filtered light on the efficiency of solar cells,” Alvaro Papa-Silva said of his project. Senior Clayton Shuttleworth’s project was also focused on alternative sources of energy. “I fermented ethanol from yard waste,” Shuttleworth said. “I’m interested in finding alternative energy, and [I’m] kind of an environmentalist.” Also competing in the science fair were Margaret Bang, who studied the development of fertilizers to prevent washout in rainfall; Carleigh Douglas, who researched the use of charred hickory wood to prevent lead from seeping from the soil; Laurel Thomas, who studied the effect of global warming on marine algae;

and Vivek Menon, who completed a project through CAPS to study the connection between the Ncb5or gene and diabetes. Such ambitious projects became stressful as the date of the science fair loomed. “We definitely worried,” Papa-Silva said. “We stayed the first day of spring break for eight hours for our displays, and all we had to eat that day was cake, so we were all on a sugar rush. It was supposed to only be two hours, but we were there from 9 to 5.” On March 21, the students competing had to take their displays to Union Station for the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair. “We had to leave the display on Wednesday, then the judges go around and judge them,” Papa-Silva said. “Then you go back and answer questions, like ‘why did you choose this project?’” The scrutiny of the judges was nerve-wracking for some of the contestants. “I’m used to DECA questions, but these were a little different. It made me a little nervous because in DECA, you have a partner, and the judges [at the fair] weren’t very specific,” Thomas said. “The first question was really vague, and then they got really nit-picky.” For others though, the

questioning section was smooth sailing. “Right before we stood before our projects, I was nervous that the judges would ask me questions that I couldn’t answer, or that they would know so much more about my project than I would,” Papa-Silva said. “But I was pleasantly surprised, and I answered most of their questions. You end up learning a surprising amount about your project.” Examining other projects at the fair was also a learning experience. “I saw some similar projects, but it was okay, because I took a different take on it,” Papa-Silva said. “I was using a different type of cell – theirs were silicon-based and really expensive. It was cool to look at the others, like the molecular biology projects.” Five of the students took home honors, with Papa-Silva taking second place overall in the Environmental Science category. He also won the U.S. Air Force Award, the Ricoh Corporation Award and the U.S. Army Bronze Medallion. Bang won the Blue River Watershed Association Award and the Kansas City Garden Club Award. Douglas won the Society of American Military Engineers Award and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Award. Shuttleworth brought home the U.S. Air Force Award and the Environmental Protection Agency Award. Menon was a finalist in the Biotechnology Research Competition

and has the opportunity to proceed to the National BioGENEius

Challenge in Boston. The most important reward is all that they’ve learned over the course of the year. “The background research and looking at research people have done have taught me so much,”

Thomas said. “After all of the data analysis I did, I wished I had taken AP Stat.”

13the north star feature 03.30.1212 the north star feature 03.30.12

Sophomore Sarabeth Barnett has grown up with not only being adopted, but also being raised by two moms.

“I’ve always known my family’s di!erent because I have two moms, my brother’s adopted, and I’m adopted. We’re just di!erent,” Barnett said. Embracing the uniqueness of her family, Barnett experienced a backlash from other children. “In the past, it was really hard because kids were teasing me, bullying me and telling me that I couldn’t have two moms because that’s not really what a family is. I had to have a mom and a dad,” she said. "e hurtful comments led to many problems that took a toll on Barnett’s outlook on her family. “When I was younger I didn’t know any better. I thought they were right. I was just hurt by what they had to say. I also got physical with my peers. I spent years in the principal’s o#ce before I $gured out there were other ways to handle it.” While Barnett grew up with no actual father, she says there have been paternal in%uences in her life which have helped her. “I’ve had two ‘pretend’ dads. When I used to live in my old neighborhood I had a dad that taught me how to play basketball and ride a two wheeler. He was my ‘half-dad.’ Now that I’ve moved over here, now I have Steve Hirshi as my ‘dad’ to help me with making projects and playing basketball,” Barnett said. Since Kansas has not legalized gay marriage, Barnett’s family has learned that formalities are not important. “We had a commitment ceremony to show that my parents were actually meant for each other. We had our friends and family come celebrate it with us. It was memorable for all of us,” she said.

Barnett and her family have also been very active in self-awareness and advocating for gay rights. “I participate in GSA and my mom started Mid-American Family Alliance, which is an organization for same sex parents with kids so that they can meet other kids with same sex parents. "ere are about 120 families now,” she said. "e idea of having a gay couple as parents might seem shocking to some, but to Barnett, she just sees it as a part of her life. “You should accept people for who they are. It doesn’t mean that they are any di!erent than all of us. You shouldn’t treat them di!erently or be afraid,” Barnett said. Being raised by two moms has not only given her an accepting approach on the LBGTQ community, she has also learned to be understanding in general. “It shows me that I can be di!erent and people will accept you for being di!erent. And even though that they don’t agree with you doesn’t mean it’s wrong to be who you are,” she said. While Barnett embraces her family, she also wants people to realize the similarites between di!erent types of families. “I don’t see how they’re di!erent from any other parents, from straight parents. It doesn’t matter what your family is like, as long as you have at least one parent that cares for you. I don’t need a dad to show me di!erently because my family is my family and I’m proud of them.”

For many of us, the de$nition of a typical family is a mom, a dad and two to three children. Anything beyond that is deemed unusual and out of the norm. In recent years though, society has become more aware of di!erent types of families and has learned

to embrace all the di!erent backgrounds that can make up a family. A popular example is the ABC show “Modern Family”, whose structure involves the intricate connections between three families, all with di!erent family dynamics. "ese unique families don’t just exist on TV, though. Families just like those on “Modern Family” are becoming more prevalent in our community and make up many of the families of students at Blue Valley North.

All in thefamilyAtypical families show their strength and support for one another

Francine GollubPhotographer

The sound of bracelets clink together as senior Khrystal Williams covers her mouth with her hands to hide her laughter.

It would be hard to imagine how drastically di!erent her upbringing has been from most teenagers. “My mom died when I was 8 and my dad was never in my life. My brothers and half sister live with my grandmother in Missouri. For almost a year, I have lived in Kansas in an apartment by myself,” Williams said. Williams knew that living by herself was the right choice for her. “Me and my grandma never really had a close relationship. I never felt like I belonged in my family. A&er so much of that, I just decided to go o! by myself and do my own thing. I still love them, but I think it’s better to live by yourself and go visit,” she said. Even though Williams knew living independently was the right option for her, she still faced several hardships and fears that come with such a big transition. “I’ve jumped around from house to house since I was 13, and I always ran away. I didn’t know it was going to be this hard. For me, it’s just a sense of pride that I can do something by myself,” Williams said. Living alone has given Williams time to ponder the choices she has made. “You have a lot of time to think about stu! that sometimes you don’t want to think about. All the time I just think, ‘should I just go back and live with my grandma?’ I wouldn’t have to pay for anything."at’s a hard part about living by yourself, you are always thinking,” she said. Since she must take on adult responsibilities,

Williams believes living on her own at a young age will help her in the future. “I’ve learned so much [from] living by myself. I think it’s going to help me a lot when I get older because of stu! I know now like how to save money or pay bills,” she said. Williams continues to gain knowledge and experience $rsthand. “I have grown a lot from it. I had to build to who I am, and it has made me a better person. When you live with somebody else, there’s always somebody to blame. But when you live by yourself, no one can take the blame but you.” Williams said. While Williams does sustain herself by having a job, the apartment complex itself has become a support center in times of need. “My whole apartment building is $lled with kids like me. It’s kind of like a family there. So if I’m ever down about something, I can always go to somebody else that’s there because everybody pretty much has been through the same thing,” she said. Content with her independent life, Williams says her decision has taken a toll on her family. “I don’t visit them a lot. I should, but I don’t. I fear that my brothers are going to end up giving up on me. I miss them a lot. I know I’m in their life, but I’m sort of not,” she said. "e responsibilities WIlliams has taken on to live independently have given her determination. “I feel like anything that gets in my way, I know that I can get through it. I have been hit with curve balls so many times. Just because I’m in high school doesn’t mean I can’t make it on my own.”

In the basement of his home, senior Connor Erickson plays basketball with his little brothers. "is is a fairly new experience for

him. His brothers were adopted from Africa just one year ago, adding diversity to a more typical family dynamic. “"ere’s seven of us in my house. Me, my two brothers, my two sisters, my mom and my dad. My sisters are biological, but my brothers are both adopted. We started trying to adopt three years ago, and they got here from Ethiopia New Year’s Day 2011,” he said. Even though his brothers came from halfway across the world, Erickson says they are no di!erent from kids here. “When they got here they didn’t speak the language at all, but now they’ve learned English pretty well. "ey go to school like normal kids and do a bunch of normal things,” Erickson said. Learning about African culture and the past life of his brothers has made Erickson aware of how di!erent life can be in another country. “It gives you a lot of perspective. "ey explain things about what it was like where they grew

up, some of the things they say are pretty frightening,” he said. Erickson said he’s happy to $nally get the experience of being a brother. “I always wanted a brother. It was cool having that for the $rst time,” he said.Erickson and his brothers spend a lot of time bonding with one another, usually through sports. “When I come home, they want to go straight down to the basement and play soccer and basketball,” Erickson said. Having new little brothers has made Erickson more understanding, especially with little kids. “It’s taught me a lot about being patient. "ey [are] in that little kid question stage where everything is ‘why? how? what?’ and you have to explain everything,” he said. "ough his family has undergone substantial changes, Erickson doesn’t think his home environment is out of the ordinary. “Our house has always been pretty crowded. It’s not that much di!erent with two [adopted] kids.”

connor

khrystal sarabeth

erikson

williams barnett


14 the north star feature 3.30.12

A perfectly chosen cast, carefully created set and

rolling camera are things one would expect to

find at a Hollywood movie shooting. For

members of the Mustang Film

Association, however,

they are all

staples of working together to create the perfect project. A new club to North, the MFA collaborates to produce short films that are student-written, directed and edited. Sophomore Michael Wolfe, founder of MFA, was compelled to start the club after finishing an independent project with other students. “I recently made the movie ‘The Callers,’” he said. “It’s a short film, a lot of people from this school were in it, and I worked with [sophomore band] A1most E1even on the music.” After producing his own project, Wolfe sought out a new way for North students to participate in

filmmaking. “I realized there isn’t really an

avenue for filmmaking for kids in Blue Valley,” he said. “The

closest thing you can get to it is CAPS, but most

kids can’t take that, so this is a chance for everybody to be more involved in their interests.” Although many see MFA and the Broadcast Technology program as similar activities, Wolfe notices differences between the two. “We have broadcast, but that’s not the same as filmmaking,” he said. “They have documentary aspects of that, but it’s not really storytelling.” Additionally, there are no classroom or prior experience requirements for participation in MFA so any student can participate. The club is currently focusing on production of another original short film called “Change.” “‘Change’ follows the daily life of a penny, but it’s saying a lot more than that,” junior Bailey Heinonen, the film’s screenwriter and director said. “It’s telling people that small things

make bigger things happen. There are chain reactions. We need to pay attention to things that we wouldn’t normally and focus more on the small things.” “I love going to theaters, and I love watching movies,” Heinonen said. “I got into the theater aspect of it last year when I was watching a lot of them and noticing the camera angles and different features. I joined the Mustang Film Association because I wanted to be a part of that.” Wolfe’s biggest goal for MFA is to expand participation and production. “I want the club to produce more short films, I want to see more people get involved, and I also want to help create something pretty cool,” he said. Heinonen and Wolfe predict that “Change” will be released by the end of the year.

Sarah EvansBusiness Manager

Lights, Camera...Mustang Film Association creates movies and friendships

As kids, people usually aspire to be firemen, astronauts or rock stars. By the time they grow up, these dream are usually long

forgotten. This is not the case with BVN’s Student Resource Officers–both Jeff Demrath and officer Batalia, who preferred not to give her first name, are living out their childhood dreams of being police officers. “Ever since I was little I have always wanted to be a police officer. I just like helping people. It’s not about the arresting or the tickets, it’s about when you change someone’s life,” Demrath said. Batalia agrees, saying that she likes being an officer because of the positive impact it can make, not to punish students. “The whole job is not to bust kids, but to be a resource and a mentor to them. I don’t want to go around and arrest everyone,” Batalia said. Although they are both police officers, they have different jobs that serve different functions. “I’m assigned to the school by the police department. I have been an officer for schools in Blue Valley since 2008,” Batalia said. Their central purpose is to handle security and criminal activity on Blue Valley property, but another reason why the officers are at schools is to make kids more relaxed around police. “A lot of kids get nervous around officers because they don’t know what to expect. Being in the school allows [the students] get to know us, and they know

that we’re are not going to hurt them,” Demrath said. “All kids look at us differently. The kids who are not in trouble probably see us as a positive whereas the disciplinary kids don’t like us much.” Batalia has been on a bumpy ride to get where she is now. “It’s hard being a female police officer [because] you have to prove yourself more than the guys. Male officers have to believe that you can handle yourself,” Batalia said. Demrath, on the other hand, has encountered a whole different problem–fights. “I’ve been in fights; they are all scary,” Demrath said.“I was involved in a fight once in ‘99 outside of a bar and I tried breaking it up. My right shoulder was injured pretty badly.” Aside from these problems, Batalia and Demrath have had to deal with several people who were under the influence. “I once had a gentleman who was under the influence of a nartcotic, and he kept repeating ‘Listen more closely’ because he was convinced his truck was talking to him,” Demrath said. “Then he would pause and listen to the truck’s advice, which was ‘don’t go to the hospital, you won’t like it there’ and ‘you need to go and hide, people are after you’.” All in all, Demrath and Batalia are glad to be working here. “Kids here are good about tolerating others and getting along,” Demrath said.

Student Resource Officers got your back

Rachel AndersonStaff Writer

Photoillustrationby Francine Gollub.

Student Resource Officers Batalia and Jeff Demrath pose side by side. Both officers enjoy the positive empact there jobs can make. Photo by Ali Falucca.

15the north star feature 03.30.12

Get into gearMetal Mustangs fight for first in the FIRST regional competition

My ideal Saturday wouldn’t start at 7 a.m. with a hot shower and a cold

walk, but on Feb. 4 fate would decide to make it so. I was on my way to the CAPS building for my experience as a member of the Metal Mustangs, a program dedicated to giving students an opportunity to expolore applications of science and technology.

The practice

After a brief stop at Starbucks to jolt the morning fog, I eventually made it to CAPS.

A cold basement with a group of kids centered around a shiny robot would have met my expectations, but those expectations were shattered from the start. The day started in a comfy air-conditioned computer room where the members of Team 2410 decided their tasks for the day. Eventually the meeting ended and the group dispersed, prompted by the words, “When I say ready, you say break.”

Some stayed in the room to work on advertisement and essentialessays for the upcoming FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition, others left to program the robots or go to the workshop. The team represented diverse interests, but the spirit was the same. The team wanted to win the FIRST regional competition and nothing would stand in its way. A new member traditionally needs to get acquainted with the building, especially one with high-tech machinery and a 45-member team, so I was given a tour. I started in what was known as the programmer corridor. By the end of that tour, I felt dumber already. Afterward, I was allowed into the shop. The shop is where all the engineering magic happens, but it is also has dangerous machinery and scrap metal, so I needed some safety-wear. Members crowded around a piece of sophisticated equipment, eager to be a part of what would eventually become their robot.

The competition

The morning of the FIRST regional three-day competition,

on March 1, I was mentally unprepared for what to expect. Team 2410 met at the CAPS building, at 7:15 sharp for a revision of the safety rules. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Safe) is the motto the team lived by for a secure experience. Throughout the meeting and bus ride to Hale Arena no one seemed nervous; everyone was ready to head out to the for the competition. When I first entered the stadium , I felt a rush of commotion that you would find at any other sports competition, including loud music blaring from speakers, cheers and bright lights centered on a basketball court. But after a few minutes the atmosphere was quite different. I learned that the first day of the competition played a vital role in how each team would fare later. In the beginning, robots are taken to a basketball court where they attempt to shoot baskets in one of three hoops. Just like any other basketball game they can play defense or offense. Robots can also reacieve points for balancing on metal beams, located at center court. Meanwhile, dozens of students from

each school were steadily focused on their robots in the pit each day of the competiton. The pit was a sectioned-off part of the arena where schools practiced using their robots and working out all the kinks. Each team was completely unaware and unconcerned of what the other teams were doing. Whenever a team needed a tool or some supplies, their wish was displayed on the intercom and

other teams happily handed over the goods. You never really

see that in any other competition. There was an unusual level of respect. On the second day the competition was fierce. This day was qualification day. Team 2410 was up for their match and there were a cluster of technical difficulties, some of which were unforseen. The 2410 engineers needed to repair the robot if they would have any chance to stay in the competition. On the third day team 2410 did not qualify for admission in the final competition. But the team was still very focused on the competition on this day and represented the school proudly. Throughout these days the team also tried to win the spirit award. It’s an award for being the most enthusiastic during matches, which includes making signs and noise. Though they did not place for the spirit award, the team was awarded runner up for the saftey award. The team ended the three-day battle with one win and eight losses. I hadn’t known how much went into this robotics competiton until now. Through the team had a few probems throughout the three days, but they worked it out, built memories and most importantly had fun.

Metal Mustang members cheer on their team, trying to earn the spirit award at Hale area. Photo by Berkeley Lovelace

Berkeley LovelaceFeature Editor

The team 2410 robot used during the FIRST regional competition. Photo by Berkeley Lovelace.

16 the north star ads 3.30.12

What you’ll need:

– 4 sponges:

multicolored ones

work best

– scissors

– A spool of fishing

line (string works, too)

17the north star entertainment 03.30.12

The term “slam poetry” often evokes images of stoners yelling curse words before

a cheering, somewhat intoxicated crowd. And I’ll be honest: there’s a little of that. But slam poetry, more properly “spoken word” poetry, can be a beautiful art, performed at competitions and other events around the country and available to us on Youtube. Watching it is a completely absorbing experience: the rhythms will make you tap your foot while images inspired by the words form exquisitely abstract figures in your mind. One of the most fascinating aspects of spoken word poetry is that people of all ages can be spectacular performers. Each slam poet brings a unique perspective to their to their colorful community. We’ve reviewed some of the “greats” here; check out the sidebar for ways to try spoken-word poetry yourself.

George WatskyAnis Mojgani

This shlumpy 35-year-old crafts unexpectedly mesmerizing poems. His metaphors are

captivating: love as kissing in the Louvre; the quest for the words of God as an attempt to swallow religious text; the search for identity as a dialogue with a young boy on a bus. He’s also a master of voice modulation, finely adjusting his intonations to intensify his words.Videos to check out: “Shake the Dust;” “Milo;” “For Those Who Can Still Ride in Airplanes”

Watsky’s first words in his best-known video, “Go Big, Young Friends,” are

characteristic of his boyish style: “Being fifteen is terrifying.” That’s what all his poems are like: they exude innocence, fresh-from-high-school angst and shy charm. After all, he’s only 23. You’ll love him because

he says things that we all feel but struggle to put into words. Videos to check out: “Go Big, Young Friends;” “Drunk Text Message to

God.”

Try it yourself!Springspeak– Each spring, CA teacher Natalie Johnson-Berry and the Writing Club seniors hold the“Springspeak” competition, in which students read poems aloud in front of friends and family. Though the style practiced at Springspeak isn’t strictly slam poetry, it’s a chance to try out the poetry performance world. “If you are a lover of writing, this is your platform for being an artist,” Johnson-Berry said. Springspeak is scheduled for April 17.Poetry Out Loud–A national slam poetry competition, Poetry Out Loud offers scholarships of $20,000. To enter, contestants must win a competition at the school level and then the regional level. We don’t have a school competition. But if there’s enough interest, this could be a cool opportunity for students next year.

Poetry finds a voiceSlam poetry brings poems to stages, Youtube channels

Over the past few months, a Pinterest obsession has swept the nation, capturing the

attention of DIY lovers and treasure hunters alike. For those of you who haven’t been sucked in to this site yet, here’s a little clarification. Once you get on, you’ve basically got access to hundreds of thousands of online bulletin boards. These “boards” have content on them ranging from unique recipes, to do-it-yourself art projects, to interior design ideas and much more. You can literally spend hours searching through people’s pinboards, finding your favorite things and re-pinning on your own boards so that you can keep track of them and share them with your friends. As the resident arts-and-crafts lady of The North Star staff, I’ve spent my fair share of time looking up new and funkadelic things to make, and recently I decided to take on an easy project that will keep us all cool this summer. If you’re looking for a water-fight weapon, check this DIY out.

Pinterest turns DIY dreams to reality

Alex GoldmanCo-Editor-in-Chief

Step 1: Cut your 4 sponges, length-wise, into 4 equal parts.

Step 2: Set up two layers of sponge strips with 4 strips in each layer. Alternate colors of sponges in the individual rows.

Step 3: Take your spool of fishing line/string and wrap it as tightly as you can around the center of the sponge strips.

Step 4: Soak your sponge bombs in water and prepare for a wet and wild water fight!

Remember: After you get done with these spongy creations, hang them in a mesh bag or something similar to dry so you can keep using them.

Jessi GlueckCo-Editor-in-Chief

All sponge photos by Alex Goldman. Post-it picture from J_O_I_D on creativecommons.org.

A junior rehearses for a slam poetry reading. Photo by Christin Smith.

old ideas instead of being creative enough to think of something original. This, of course, is a slight to Hollywood’s tendencies to remake and reboot old movies and shows. Subtly and hilariously, the screenwriters are making fun of themselves. The joke sets the tone perfectly for what’s to come. But keep in mind that not all of the movie’s jokes are so tame. This is a dirty movie that deserves its “R” rating. It features drugs, violence and four-letter words that your grandma

would frown upon. One of the funniest aspects of the movie comes from when the pair goes undercover to infiltrate a drug ring at a local high school. Hill’s character turns out to be more popular than Tatum’s, an unexpected twist. Not only were the lead actors strong, but so were the supporting roles. Ice Cube gave a scene-stealing performance as the captain of the undercover program, Kansas native Rob Riggle was equally raucous as the high school’s track coach and fans

18 the north star entertainment 03.30.12

“They just want a good show, that’s all they want”

21 Jump Street: The exception to the ruleIt’s common knowledge that

movies released in March suck. Comedies, action flicks, you name

the genre. There was “Race to Witch Mountain” in 2009, “The Bounty Hunter” in 2010 and “Sucker Punch” in 2011. You probably can’t remember these movie titles because you either never saw or successfully blocked them from your memory. But every once in a while comes the exception to this March rule. “21 Jump Street” is that exception. A spin-off of the ’80s television show that launched star Johnny Depp to fame, the movie works so well because of the chemistry between its leads, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. Hill plays the inept nerd that tries too hard to be cool, opposite Tatum, the easygoing jock that almost flunks out of high school. The two are ideal candidates for friendship when they meet in the police academy. Hill’s character needs help with physical training, while Tatum’s needs a mental boost. Early on in the movie, a character jokes about how easy it is to recycle

of “The Office” will recognize Ellie Kemper as the awkwardly amusing AP Chemistry teacher. What I especially liked about “21 Jump Street” was how flawlessly it combined different genres of films. It’s a true March gift: an action-packed, buddy-cop comedy fused with the “second-chance-at-high-school” theme that adds sentimentality to the mix. It’s one of those rare films that’s raunchy, yet full of heart. The best scene in the movie features a cameo by Johnny Depp at the film’s climax. I can’t spoil it, but it’s very violent and very funny. It’s random, and the fact that it comes at the turning point of the plot makes you appreciate it that much more. “21 Jump Street” may not be the most realistic movie out in theaters, but it doesn’t try to be. Sure, it’s action-packed, crude and uproariously funny, but it’s also a tale of growing up and the unlikely friendship that can develop between two very different people.

Hayley BergerStaff Writer

Danny RosenbergStaff Writer

With his blue hair and outrageous makeup, Hunger Games announcer

Ceasar Flickerman appears on television screens throughout the country of Panem telling everyone that the 74th Hunger Games have begun. And with 11 dead within the first five minutes, you know it’s going to be an eventful one. Arriving at AMC 20 six hours before the movie was set to begin, my friends and I sat third in line for our theater, full of anticipation to see how the books had turned out on the big screen. Having not been pleased with the casting choices, I wasn’t expecting the movie to be more than just another poorly adapted book-to-screen film. I was, however, pleasantly surprised. Right from the start, leading lady Jennifer Lawrence, as Katniss Everdeen, shows off her acting skills as she is thrown into the Games with 23 other unlucky teenagers, where only one of which will survive the violence

that ensues. Lawrence manages to play the role with just enough fierceness, so as not to be too over top, but still show the fear of the16-year-old. Her chemistry with costar Josh Hutcherson was not lost on the viewers; it was realistic, not forced like in other movies. The two together cleared up any doubts I had about the decisions for the cast. The leads weren’t the only strong roles, for the supporting roles stood out just as much. The “careers”, or highly trained tributes, were amazing as they went around laughing and acting like

the Games were actually just a silly game. Then there was 12-year-old Rue, played by Amandla Stenberg, who, despite little dialogue, managed to outshine some of the other, older actors. And the movie’s effects are not to be

overlooked. Visually stunning is really the only way I can go

about describing the cinematography, which added so

much to the story. Everything from the raging fire to the futuristic technology

was executed perfectly, looking

realistic rather than fake, as it could have

been. The same can be said for the fight scenes, which were both believable and full of gore.

With all of that being said, I am a fan of the books, so there were of course some complaints. The movie moved at a fast pace, making it somewhat hard to follow along with, especially for those who have yet to read the books. Some of the characters were a little bit toned down, as well as some of the scenes that had far more to them than the two-liners in the film. These things did not, however, take away from the movie and can easily be overlooked with the quality of everything else. If you like action-packed sequences with daggers or evil dystopian dictators or the story of star-crossed lovers, whether you’ve read the books or not, “The Hunger Games” is a sure-fire film of the year that I would definitely suggest seeing. “The Hunger Games” is in theaters now, and “may the odds be ever in your favor.”

Hunger Games movie delivers what the craving readers are waiting for

Jonah HIll (left) and Channing Tatum (right) as undercover cops in the movie “21 Jump Street”. Source: Sony Pictures (http://www.21JumpStreet-Movie.com/site/)

The Mockingjay pin that Katniss wears during her tumultuos journey in “The Hunger Games” movie. Photo illustration by Francine Gollub.

19the north star entertainment 03.30.12

Among the many stresses of the college application process (i.e., the tedious application

essays, the deadlines that seem to coincide perfectly with physics unit tests...etc) we find ourselves at the end of this long journey anxiously sifting through loads of college junk mail to find the holy grail: an acceptance letter. But what happens after you’ve picked the perfect college? It’s time to find a roomie and this is where RoomSurf comes into play, a matchmaking website created in 2009 that analyzes your personality and pairs you with a like-minded individual. Since you’ll most likely be sharing a 10 by 10 room with this rando for the next nine months, I’ve gathered some tips and tricks to help you sort out the nutcases from the cool kids. And who knows, maybe they’ll end up being a friend that lasts a lifetime.

Step 1 Sign Up with Facebook:Pick the perfect profile picture. Your facebook pro pic is your RoomSurf picture when you first make the account, but you can upload and change if you want. Make yourself look attractive by using something classy, yet intriguing; let people know your interests. If you’re taking guitar lessons, share a picture of yourself strumming on your Les Paul. Pics from Sweetheart are all right, party pics are definite no-nos and selfies should be avoided. Don’t attempt to put up a front and don’t be something you’re not. If you do try to present an image that’s larger-than-life, proceed with caution; other savvy kiddos are doing the same thing.

Step 2 Take the Survey:RoomSurf matches you on five different levels: cleanliness, personality, habits, gender and personal beliefs. Each section allows you to not only describe the way you live, but pick how you’d like your roommate to live as well. For instance, you keep a messy house but want a friend that will keep his/hers neat and tidy? Not a problem. Select the option that this is an important aspect in your decision-making process and pray you get a personal housekeeper. The personal beliefs section gets tricky. It’s tempting to pick the beliefs that most closely match our own, but don’t! Since you’re losing the randomness of being stuck with an unknown roommate, you’re also missing out on the chance to get to know a different type of person. Add a bit of serendipity to the mix and select “all beliefs” as your preference for a roommate. The best part? If you don’t like who you’re matched up with or you change your mind about what you value, you can always retake the survey and explore other matches.

Step 3: Start finding the Perfect Roommate: Plenty of fish in the sea. Don’t settle till you find the one. It’s time to go back to Facebook and make the first move by adding your potential roomie as a friend and sending him or her a personal message. Don’t try to act cool. They obviously know you already stalked the heck out of them so say something along the lines of the fill-in-the blank below. All you have to do is make it personal. Once you’ve made contact, just sit back, take a deep breath, and hope you’ve found your perfect match. Short and sweet version: Hey! (insert university) next year? Longer version: I’m still looking for a roommate and it looks like we match up pretty well! Let me know if you’re still looking and if we have anything in common from your point of view. I love music, sports, movies and going out. I’m pretty active and definitely down to do new things and meet new people. Hope to hear from you!

Self-Description

Hey! My name is Lily Lieberman and I’m an outgoing, fun-loving and caffeine-addicted journalism student from Leawood, Kansas.

Interests

I love classic movies, Chai tea lattes, cozy nights in and late nights out. I love going to concerts, discovering new bands, exploring new places and vintage shopping. I’m a Libra, the sign of harmony and balance, so I’m easy to get along with, and I work equally as hard as I play. At BU, I’m hoping to join the newspaper or magazine staff and explore all the city has to offer.

Message Me If...

You think we’d get along!

Learning how to settle Finding a happy medium in a sea of mediocre people

example profile

Profile for Lily3456

She matches

me: 100%

I match her: 95%

Photo by Ashley RubenProfile illustration by Alex Goldman.

Lily LiebermanStaff Writer


20 the north star entertainment 03.30.12

Spring is the season of baby animals, fresh flowers and 3-D movie re-releases? With the

long list of re-releases slated to hit theaters in the upcoming months, that is beginning to look like the case. And I’m “going gaga” over this phenomenon. I might be the only one, though. Since the re-release of such blockbusters, many people have been grumbling about the lack of actual 3-D in the movies or see them as a quick way for companies to turn a profit with minimal effort. The way I see it though, the actual 3-D-ness of the movies is irrelevant. The chance to see the movies I loved as a kid, on a huge screen with intense audio, is a chance to reconnect with my childhood. And honestly, as summer approaches, who isn’t in the mood for a return to that blissful age? When “Titanic”, one of the highest grossing and best-loved films of all time, came out in theatres for the first time in 1997, even the oldest students were too young to see the epic film on the big screen. As impacting and exquisite as the sinking ship scenes were at home, imagine watching the tragedy unfold on a massive screen. The thought of such detail and reliving a piece of film history should be enticing enough, even if the 3-D isn’t up to par. Who can resist the new-found guilty pleasure of seeing Disney movies on such a huge scale? Spurred by the success of “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast”, “Finding Nemo” will be released in September, followed by The Little Mermaid next year.

[Going GaaGaa]

Spring fever

Liz GaaEntertainment Editor

After an unseasonably warm end to winter, it’s beginning to feel like summertime in Kansas. And, of course, the only thing to eat on days when the weather is gorgeous and warm is a delicious, cool cup of ice cream. Though

Dairy Queen and Sheridan’s have been long-time favorites around Overland Park in terms of ice cream places, unique ice creameries have popped up, serving

everything from lavender-flavored sorbet to salted pretzel ice cream. If you’re getting a bit of spring fever and feel the need for a yummy treat, make sure to

check out these shops.

4535 W. 119th StreetOut of all of the ice cream shops that I’ve reviewed, this one was by far the most bizarre. In this case, though, Glace’s odd flavors make the little shop a standout favorite. Owned by renowned chocolatier Christopher Elbow, all of the ice creams you’ll find here have an interesting flavor twist that you won’t see in your everyday Ben and Jerry’s. However, don’t be scared off by the eccentric flavors

such as Rose Water, Vietnamese Cinnamon and Pineapple Cilantro sorbet that grace the standard menu. Each flavor brings something new and original to the

table, making your ice cream richer, creamier, more refreshing or even a bit shocking. My personal favorites include the French Lavender, which is a perfect refreshment on a hot day, and the Fleur de Sel Caramel, which is divine for anyone who’s ever tried and

loved a salted caramel.

Glacé

307 Southeast Douglas Street, Lee’s Summit, Mo.Though this ice creamery is a bit of a trek, the 30-minute trip to Lee’s Summit is definitely worth it after tasting their delicious homemade treats. Poppy’s has taken on all things ice cream, making their own crunchy sugar cones, mixing up their own flavors of ice cream and sorbet, and even making other delectable items like chocolate-covered Oreos. A North Star staffer drove over to this little shop to taste-test all of the unique flavors, and after hearing the reviews, our staff

recommendations are the rich salted caramel ice cream with chocolate chips, the whimsical strawberry champagne sorbet

and the interesting sour cream and cherry ice cream. Keep in mind, however, that some of these delicious ice cream flavors are

seasonal and may rotate on and off the menu–which just gives you more reason to try all sorts of different flavors to keep your options open. After you grab your ice cream treat from Poppy’s, you could make your ice cream indulgence into a day trip by taking advantage of the trendy little shops in downtown Lee’s Summit.

Poppy’s Ice Cream and Coffee House

Photo by Emilie Hardman at creativecommons.org.

Beat the heat with sweet treats

Alex GoldmanCo-Editor-in-Chief

21the north star ads 3.30.12

4/15/124/15/12

Prom Specials

22 the north star opinion 03.30.12

I had dropped newspaper at semester and began longing to write for an audience. Finding

that I desperately wanted back onto the newspaper staff, I went searching for ideas that were at first controversial, and then worldly, but I found nothing of substance for the mind of an American teenager. So I asked Google a question. “What do teenagers care about?” The usual Yahoo Answers gave me little to work with, producing answers such as music, games and cool websites. Scrolling down I was pleased to see a world issues site filled with filed on subjects from poverty and child slavery to pollution. But then: Nothing. There were pages and

pages and pages of “research” telling me that my brain cannot comprehend guilt or make decisions while thinking of the consequences. This “fact” confused and bothered me.

I go through every day making decisions that I know will effect me and those around me. If I make a decision that effects someone in a negative way, I feel

guilty. Conversely, if someone hurts me, then I care. Teenagers are largely emotionally driven; so how a scientist can say we don’t factor in emotion is a contradiction to everything I thought I knew about my age group. One of the major premises for the assertion that teenagers are reckless and impulsive is the stereotype of

“I care about conserving and

restoring our environment, I care about legalizing gay marriage across the

country.”

Break the sterotype: Prove that teens care

Christopher ShanklinStaff Writer

teen drinking and irresponsible partying. It’s true that teenagers sometimes engage in unsafe and frankly stupid activities, but statistics show that under-age smoking has decreased 46.4% percent since 1997. I’m not some pre-adolesent drone who only cares about myself, and if I had to argue I would say my generation cares more about many issues than my parents did. I care about conserving and restoring our environment and I care about legalizing gay marriage across the country. I’m a 17-year-old guy and I can’t possibly be the only one who thinks before I act. By acting and reacting to world events, my fellow students have a channel of information through Twitter, Facebook, MSN, Yahoo and all assortments of media, that allow them to become more proactive. What does it say when “adults” “know” what we care about? Perhaps they cared about such things. Maybe they tell us we don’t care because

they don’t want us to care; “We’re too young to understand.” We have this golden opportunity to break the age-old stereotype of apathy. Care about your life, care about others, care about consequences, care about our world. Take action and show that you are more than a statistic.

At the doctor with my friend getting a doctors note and the doctor asks my friend if she wanted one too.... #uhhh yes!!#dying

Your fake Louis is soo cute!! #not

Just took my 5th (that’s 5) shower of the weekend. Sorry. I was dirty. #shampoo

Mom bought me a Vera Bradley lunch box... #uhh Currently struggling through her wallet looking for the receipt.

I would pay money to sleep through first hour today #Hate1stHourBreakfast burritos at arrowhead #chiefsnation

Getting dating advice from our traffic school cop #learningalot

poker night #cleanedout

#WhatBVNsays

Summer is almost here and so are finals. While everyone is vigorously

preparing for finals, tension also forms as students feel the pressure from all directions to pass their classes. To lighten the the mood, here are some funny tweets from our very own Mustangs. See the funny side of BVN, and may it lighten up the last few months of the school year. #enjoy.

Illustration by Christin Smith.

Olga DeckmanStaff Writer

23the north star opinion 03.30.12

[Ellie’s Insights]

About a year ago, someone in the newsroom brought to my attention that a senior

was breeding snakes in his room. Lacking a story idea, I jumped on the information. This led me to Greg Ruiz. I wrote a two-page story on Ruiz, which landed on the cover of last April’s issue of The North Star, but I didn’t really know him. I vaguely remember spending an afternoon with in Greg’s bedroom, watching his eyes light up as he discussed the passion he had for his unique pets. Sarah and I stepped cautiously around Greg’s snakes which slithered around his bedroom floor. But he alleviated our nerves with a smile and multiple explanations of how gentle the snakes were. Eventually, we were comfortable. Looking back, his knowledge, passion and love of life touched us both. Gregory Orlando Ruiz died Feb. 26, 2012. Those who knew him, many North students, wrote final messages to the teen on his Facebook wall-“I’ll miss you, buddy”-read some, while others expressed rawer pain. This

[The Gluecktionary]

“Most people walk right by without noticing the mistake, but there are certain kinds of people who will stop at nothing to place that last piece.” A poorly-punctuated sentence is to a grammar nerd what a physical quantity without units is to a science geek. We can figure out what you’re getting at from the context—probably. But being correct allows each word you use to have impact. Taking time to say something correctly shows that you care about what you’re saying, and if you care, then we’ll care too. Good grammar is something that some very smart people will never

attain, and that’s okay. We grammar nerds definitely need to work on being more tolerant. We ask, though, that you be tolerant of

us: that you refrain from making fun of us when we cringe at bad sentence structure and misspelled words. There’s room for all kinds of perfectionism in the world, and who knows? If you bear with our idiosyncrasies, you might earn yourself a great proofreader come college-essay time.

Losing an inspiration

Jessi GlueckCo-Editor-in-Chief

The North Star is the official publication of Blue Valley North High School, an open forum distributed to all students nine times a year. This publication may contain controversial material. Kansas law prohibits the suppression of a student publication solely because it may contain controversial matter. Blue Valley Unified School District No. 229 and its board members, officers and employees may disclaim any responsibility for the content of this publication; it is not an expression of school policy. Student authors and editors are solely responsible for the content of this publication. Letters to the editors are encouraged from students and non-students alike and should be less than 500 words in length. All letters must be signed and turned into room 411 at least one week prior to publication. All letters require a signature. Names will be published. The North Star reserves the right to edit with regard to libel, without changing the substance of the letter. The North Star will not publish obscene or libelous material.

The North StarBlue Valley North High School

12200 Lamar Ave.Overland Park, KS 66209

(913) 239-3116

[[

rawer pain seems more appropriate when an 18-year-old suddenly dies. Some friends wrote how they had seen Greg only days ago, how it didn’t seem real, how it simply didn’t make sense. A year ago, Greg Ruiz struck me as someone who possessed more passion for and knowledge about his interests than almost anyone I had ever met. He told me he wanted to join the Marine Corps and then later open a warehouse of snakes to breed. He told me about the genealogy of the snakes he owned and what he would

be able to sell each baby snake for. I was impressed, to say the least. I just knew Greg would take on the world–knowledge, passion and all.

On Friday, March 2, Greg was buried. The little I got to know him inspired me to delve deeper into passions – to look harder for passions in others, to find passions of my own. Greg had so much passion for life and for his hobby. Greg is gone, but I hope that we can all remember that passion and a love of life is worth striving for.

Ellie HolcombOpinon Editor

Everyone has that Facebook friend. You know the one I’m talking about. You’ll post

a perfectly inoffensive status like this one: “Im going to see my best friends today! Your all jealous.” And then, seconds later, the grammar-obsessed friend will have posted three comments: two correcting your mistakes with little asterisks and one saying something biting about how we’d be more jealous of you if you knew how to write proper English. It’s always the same one or two people. And each time, the desire to throttle them gets a little more intense. I’ll admit it; I’m one of these people. At times you probably hate us. But listen to our side of the story. Grammar nerds are the way they are for a variety of reasons. Some like to read older literature, and hate to see the way that modern technology is letting people mess with the English language. Others are drawn to the perfection that can be made or marred by a simple punctuation mark. “Fixing grammar is kind of like putting the last piece in a jigsaw puzzle,” senior Austin Dickey said.

In defense of the grammar-obsessed

“When I think of true passion, I

think of Greg and his bedroom full of

snakes.”

“Fixing grammar is like putting the

last piece in a jigsaw puzzle.”

1.

GETTINGCULTUREDStudents celebrate their cultural differences at the annual Culture Fair, Feb. 27.

1. BV Southwest senior Aswathi Pradeep, BV North junior Deepa Kote, and BV West senior Kanika Kshirsagar perform a special Indian dance called bharatnatyam, which brings together friends from different schools to participate in this ancient tradition.

2.Juniors Lauren Adamson and Caitlen Morris perform Irish dance moves. Irish dance is a high-energy activity that demands hours of participants’ time, especially on holidays like St. Patrick’s day, when they perform in a parade.

3. Sophomore Joseph Wilson, a dedicated musician, plays guitar and sings.

4. Senior Peter Berry performs for the crowd a little-known form of movement–liquid dancing–in which he tries to make his body imitate the motion of a fluid.

5. Senior Sara Haug paints faces for National Art Honors Society, which played a large part in the culture fair.


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