News

bvtigernews — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

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About

bvtigernews — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:49:19 +0000

Welcome to bvtigernews.com, the official website of Blue Valley student-run media! Run by the Tiger Print and Tiger TV staffs, we strive to bring you the best and latest in BVHS news.

Welcome

bvtigernews — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:51:59 +0000

Welcome to BV Tiger News, your site for all thing BV. Run by the Tiger Print and Tiger TV staffs, we will be updating frequently, so check back soon! Remember to change your bookmarks to bvtigernews.com.

Subscriptions

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tigerprintsubscriptions

bvtigernews — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:16:43 +0000

If you are interested in subscribing to the Tiger Print, fill in this form and send cash/check for $15 made out to the Tiger Print. Send to: BVHS Tiger Print 6001 W. 159th Street Stilwell, KS 66085

Tiger Print Subscriptions

bvtigernews — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:19:21 +0000

If you’re interested in subscribing to the Tiger Print, fill out this form and send it with $15 to: BVHS Tiger Print 6001 W. 159th Street Stilwell, KS 66085 Make checks payable to Blue Valley High.

Deadline changes for community service award

bvtigernews — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:59:08 +0000

The community service deadline for the Presidential Service Award has been changed to Feb. 28. This will allow paperwork to be finished in a more timely manner for ceremonies like underclassmen and senior awards nights.

Meetings for fall and spring sports this week

bvtigernews — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:13:35 +0000

Students planning on participating in a winter or spring sport need to attend upcoming meetings with their coaches. Any guys who plan on playing baseball in the spring need to attend a mandatory meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 2:55 after school. Boys who can't attend this meeting need to see Coach Matt Ortman. On Wednesday, Sept. 2, there will be mandatory meeting in Coach Andy Unrein's room (607) for any girls who are interested in playing basketball this winter. The meeting is at 3:00 after school. There is a boys basketball meeting after school at 3:00 on Thursday, Sept. 3 in room 608. This meeting is only for boys who are not participating in a fall sport. By Jordan McEntee

Express lane for students available at football games

bvtigernews — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:22:40 +0000

Due to typically long lines at the gates of football games, BV has decided to add an express lane for students. Students must bring their ID card that functions as an activity pass or $3 to be admitted to the bleachers. The student ID cards were passed out on Sept. 1 for seniors, Sept. 2 for freshmen, and will be distributed on Sept. 3 and 4, for juniors and sophomores. The express line will be along side the fence of the west parking lot. The line is scheduled to open on Friday, Sep. 4, as BV takes on the Manhattan Indians. By James Statham

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Relay for Life committee chairs announced

bvtigernews — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:41:24 +0000

The 2010 Relay for Life committee chairs and members have been announced. Also, the tentative date for Captain Kick-off has been set for Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 3:00 after school. The Survivors committee is headed by Kaitlyn Lotz with members Meera Chakravarthy and Aziza Moolla, Hannah Ernst. Food is headed by Jenny Yu with members Raven Brower and Ria Halder. Sponsorship is headed by Sarah Moore with members Courtney Ramirez and Katie Azeltine. Publicity is headed by Jenn Timmons with members Evelyn Davis, Molly Debusk and Jon Hayward. The Activities committee is headed by Tyler Kalmus with members Francisco Ramos, Alyssa Luker, Melissa Illies, Ashley Tiefel and Bella Brooks. Accounting is headed by Anna Perincherry with members Dani Bohde, Khadija Shirhindi, Christine Perincherry and Allen Zhu. Mission is headed by Sarah Clancey with members Caitlin Holland, Ally Francis and Jessica McCrary. Recruitment is headed by Johnathon Davis with members Kevin Hansen, Riley Siemers, Howard Grimberg and Andrew Fraiser. Logistics is headed by Alex Dean with members Erin Moylan, Rachel Mendez, Mai Bonomo and Emily Li. Luminaria is headed by Yanjie Yu with members Kaitlin Long, Katie Louis and Kelly Urso.

Band to perform rock 'n' roll style show, joined by cheerleaders

bvtigernews — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:57:41 +0000

This year’s halftime show is deviating from its normal pattern. Instead of having a traditional halftime show, this one is rock 'n' roll themed. “It’s breaking from tradition and doing something the students will enjoy,” band director Avian Bear said. The show will feature songs from rock 'n' roll bands like ACDC, Santana and Styx. In past years, the marching band has done their performance for competitions during halftime. This show will instead be displayed at the end of a couple football games each month. Spectators at football games can then choose to stay and watch their competitive show or leave. For the first time cheerleaders will participate in the halftime show with the drill team and the band. The drill team will dance in the first song, Back in Black by ACDC, and the last song, Mr. Roboto by Styx. The cheerleaders will dance during the second song, Evil Ways by Santana. The band started practicing at the end of July for the new display, usually for eight hours a day. Once school started, they began to have practice in the mornings and after school. Now that marching season is beginning, Bear has high hopes for this year's band. "I hope it goes over big," she said. "I know the students will enjoy the music, the cheerleaders and drill team are enjoying it. It will be a win all the way around." By Haley Schroer

Construction officials working to determine cause of Fitness Center leak

bvtigernews — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:03:46 +0000

Construction workers are searching the Fitness Center for a leak that caused damage to flooring and fitness equipment. The crew is still trying to determine where the leak is coming from. Possible sources of the leak could be the pipe leading to the water fountain or a broken drainage pipe. The leak happened over the summer. After the leakage that ruined flooring in the Fitness Center, new flooring was put in place. In the process, several pieces of work-out equipment were damaged. The minor repairs were inexpensive and are being completed this week. There were also some improvements to the look of the Fitness Center, including touch-ups to the ceiling. “Some aesthetically pleasing panels were put up, so it no longer all white,” PE teacher Christyn Haberly said.

What do you hope to see from BV Tiger News?

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:26:53 +0000

[polldaddy poll=1955389]

Recycling bins available at home football games

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:42:28 +0000

The Environmental Club is providing an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint at football games this year. There will be bins for all plastic bottles at home football games this year. This is part of their program where they process bottles and send them to a recycling facility. The leaders of the club this year are juniors Rachel Mendez and Conor Storm. "We recycle about 300 gallons a week just from the school," club sponsor Deb Sisk said. So when you're looking to throw away your drinks tonight, remember to take the caps off, empty them out, and put them in the recycle bin. By Chris Roche

College visit dates announced

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:48:16 +0000

Seniors who are interested in visiting with admissions officers from colleges around the Midwest need to see Cindy Snell in the counseling office. Admissions officers from 30 colleges will be visiting between now and Nov. 1. Some of the college visits include: Washburn University, Sept. 2 William Jewell, Sept. 8 Missouri University of Science & Technology (formerly the University of Missouri-Rolla), Sep. 9 Mid America Nazarene University, Sept. 14 Baylor University, Sept. 15 Baker University, Sept. 15 Drury University, Sept. 16 Johnson County Community College, Sept. 17 By Annie Burress

ACT test dates scheduled for this year

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:55:16 +0000

Students who plan on taking an ACT exam this year need to sign up by visiting the counseling office or going to the ACT Web site, www.act.org. The registration and test dates are as follows: Aug. 7 is the registration deadline for the Sept. 12 test. Sept. 18 is the registration deadline for the Oct. 24 test. Nov. 6 is the registration deadline for the Dec. 12 test. Jan. 5 is the registration deadline for the Feb. 6 test. March 5 is the registration deadline for the April 10 test. May 7 is the registration deadline for the June 12 test. By Annie Burress

Clubs collaborate to write quarterly newsletter, raise awareness

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:03:07 +0000

The Young Progressives Club is partnering with the Global Action Club to create Clubs for Change. This group will focus on issues such as child labor, AIDS, homelessness, human trafficking, hunger, women's rights, the environment and genocide. Their goal is to raise awareness about these issues to educate the student body. This new club will be producing a quarterly newsletter in which certain issues will be addressed and other clubs will be able to state their views on the issues. The club will also raise funds and goods that will benefit the issues that were focused on each quarter. Meetings are held Wed. at 3:00 after school in room 312. By Maegan Kabel

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bvtigernews — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:24:45 +0000

Kathy Shones, Jacy Dunham, and Kendel Tommelein prepare to run drills.

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Players show their moms how to do the "Russian Walk" stretch.

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The players and their moms stretch together to prepare for practice.

Football moms suit up

bvtigernews — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:29:13 +0000

On Saturday, Aug. 22, Tiger football moms ran a mile in their son's shoes - literally. After going through several drills and other activities, football players and their mothers ate lunch together. Photos by Haley Hickman. Kathy Shones, Jacy Dunham, and Kendel Tommelein prepare to run drills. Players and their moms stretch together to prepare for practice. Players show their moms how to do the "Russian Walk" stretch.

Running Drills

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"Russian Walk"

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Running Drills

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Kathy Shones, Jacy Dunham, and Kendel Tommelein prepare to run drills.

Running Drills

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Kathy Shones, Jacy Dunham, and Kendel Tommelein prepare to run drills.

Stretching

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Players and their moms stretch together to prepare for practice.

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Russian Walk

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Players show their moms how to do the "Russian Walk" stretch.

Meeting dates announced for boys' swim and dive, golf

bvtigernews — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:40:53 +0000

Any boys interested in being on the swim and dive team or the boys' golf team need to attend informational meetings with their coaches. This Friday at 3:00 p.m., there will be an informational meeting in the pool area for any boys who plan being a part of the swim and dive team this winter. There will be a meeting in the commons on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m. for all freshman boys who are interested in trying out for boys' golf this spring. This meeting is for parents and athletes. By Jordan McEntee

BV falls to BV Northwest, 34-15

bvtigernews — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:38:27 +0000

After coming off a last-second loss to the Manhattan Indians, BV took on Blue Valley Northwest in an unusual Thursday night game Sept. 10. Northwest won 34-15 and dropped the Tigers to a 0-2 record. Northwest scored 21 straight points before senior quarterback Anthony Abenoja ran for a 10-yard touchdown with 0:55 left in the half. Northwest went on another scoring run making the score 34-7. With 2:57 left in the game, BV scored a touchdown and a 2-point conversion to make the final score 34-15. By Matthew Holloway

BV/BVNW 9-10

bvtigernews — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:06:22 +0000

Knitting club resumes, finds organization to team with

bvtigernews — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:41:54 +0000

Knitting Club is back in action, meeting on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. in room 450. "Anyone can come," sponsor Jill Chittum said. "Knitters and crocheters, experienced or anyone who wants to learn." Yarn and needles are helpful, but not necessary for each meeting. "If you don't have knitting supplies I would still encourage them to come to the meeting," Chittum said. She also said the club is looking to participate in the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project (http://orphan.org/index.php?id=40). Students would knit scarves out of any red yarn and donate them to be sent to college-aged foster kids. "I thought that'd be a good thing for Knitting Club to do because it would give us a mission and a purpose," Chittum said. "Knitting is just so easy so anyone could do it. I just want them to get involved." By Katie Louis

My voice: Kanye's VMA outburst disappoints one-time fan

bvtigernews — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:04:28 +0000

Look, here's the deal. I'm usually not one for awards shows. Most of the music that I listen to is never on MTV, so it usually never makes sense to me to watch the VMA's. I was watching football before "Entourage" came on at 9:30, when I decided to get on Facebook and Twitter. Upon arrival, I was greeted with countless status updates and tweets, typically consisting of an expletive, followed by Kanye West. So I figured I'd watch the repeat of the VMA's later on. Taylor Swift, no matter what music you listen to, is an absolutely fantastic musician. I don't like country music, but she's one of the only legitimately talented artists out there. She writes and performs from the heart, which deserves much credit. She won the first award of the night. Her video for "You Belong With Me" trumped videos by Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Kelly Clarkson. When her name was read, the look on her face told the story. She obviously had no idea she even had a chance at winning, and approached the stage with no signs of any swagger or cockiness. She gracefully began to shout out to the country music world and elaborate on her childhood dreams of winning a moon-man. And then Kanye West came onto the stage. He grabbed the mic, irrelevantly apologized to Swift for his interruption, and blurted out a jerk-ish opinion of how Beyoncé rightfully deserved the award. A girl, nearly the same age as all of us, just won a monumental award for her music and was blindsided by the attention-seeking West. You've got to be freaking kidding me. Kanye, in his own right, is a talented musician. Personally, I think his recent auto-tuned endeavors on his last record were pitiful, but he's been on top of the mountain. I own every CD the man has put out, and listen to each every now and then. But for someone that high in the pop-music hierarchy to cut down a young girl in front of millions of viewers makes me embarassed to ever say I was one of his fans. The worst part was the few seconds that followed it. Rightfully, he was booed off the stage. Shakira and the other guy that no one cared about (Twilight's Taylor Lautner) stood expressionless behind a mortified Swift. The directors attempted to cue into the next segment, but the damage had been done. I wouldn't be surprised if Kanye's career plummets after this. If you think about it, he was already on his way down. Each record before "808's and Heartbreak" boasted at least three singles, when "808's" only had two. "Heartless" was a hit, but "Amazing" only made it onto NBA commercials and pump-up CD's for the nation's youth athletes. His performances were boring. He didn't have the energy and smash-mouth attitude he had before. He wasn't rapping, he was singing. Auto-tune, when used correctly, can correct some voices, but it did little for his singing attempts. That, doubled with this incident, could very well spell the end for one of the decade's best rappers and producers. Of course, West owes Swift a massive public apology. Even with that, he still won't be forgiven by the majority of America. He made himself look like the biggest jerk in the country in front of millions of viewers. It's going to be a long climb back up the mountain for him, and it's going to be difficult for him to find much support on the way back up. If he doesn't apologize, I'm not going to buy another one of his CD's. And I'd like to believe I'm not alone when I say that. By AJ Barbosa

Kansas driving law altered, new age for unrestricted license determined

bvtigernews — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:09:21 +0000

A new Kansas driving law will go into effect in 2010. According to the Kansas Department of Revenue, the new law says that teens must be 17 to get their unrestricted license and they must be 15 to get their restricted permit. The restricted permit allows the teenager to drive to work, school and home alone. When students turn 16 the restricted permit allows them to drive anywhere from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. without a parent or guardian. Any students found driving past this curfew will be ticketed by law enforcement officials. If students have their instructional permit before December 2009, the new law will not apply to them. Sophomore Sydney Lenz is not concerned about the change in driving age, though. "I really don't care, and I wont ask my friends for rides either," she said. The same laws still apply when getting a license. Teens can take a driver's education class or take the state driving test at a Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles location. Sophomore Thamara Subramanian took driver's education to avoid taking the state test. "You don't have to take the test you just walk in with your golden ticket and they give you your license," she said. More information about state driving laws can be found at www.ksrevenue.org/vehicle.htm. By Carlee Ray

Poll: What do you think of Kanye West's VMA Outburst?

bvtigernews — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:47:30 +0000

[polldaddy poll=1993251]

Seven BV students announced as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

bvtigernews — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:28:57 +0000

On Wednesday, the 2010 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists were announced. Out of a total of 1,600 semifinalists, seven of them are from Blue Valley High School. Students selected in the annual program have the opportunity to continue in the competition for more than eight scholarships worth more than $36 million. The BVHS semifinalists are seniors Ben Cooper, Bailey Kennedy, Hunter Kennon, Emily Li, Grant Meyer, Angela Niebergall and Caitlin Wilson. by Jordan McEntee

Newspaper staff honored as Pacemaker finalist

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:54:51 +0000

The Tiger Print was named a finalist for the Pacemaker Award. The Pacemaker is a national award honoring newspaper staffs for excellence in high school journalism. The staff was selected as a finalist on Sept. 10, along with 53 other high school newspapers. Newspaper adviser Jill Chittum is thrilled with the results and has high hopes for the future. “It’s pretty awesome,” Chittum said. “I’m not going to lie.” The Pacemaker Award is referred to as the ‘Pulitzer Prize’ of high school journalism, she said. Senior Stephanie Roche, co-editor-in-chief of the Tiger Print was excited to hear that the staff had received the recognition for its work. “We put in a lot of time and effort,” Roche said. Chittum and Roche both look forward to newspaper this year. “We are hoping to out-do our success from last year,” Roche said. The winner out of the finalists will receive a plaque for their efforts and will be highly esteemed throughout the high school journalism community. However, it’s not all about winning. “Our job is really to inform the student body,” Chittum said. by Jacob Pruitt

Communication Overload: ‘New’ generation of Facebook users hits the web

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Update status. Click. Inbox. Click. Notifications. Click. This is an everyday habit of most high school students. Many Blue Valley teachers also have accounts on this popular social networking site. Most students have Facebooks so they can put up pictures, send messages or communicate with friends from other schools. Teachers don’t necessarily do those things, but they have their own reasons for having accounts on this site. “The main reason I got a Facebook was to have access to information about other organizations who have groups on Facebook,” Social Studies teacher Mark Klopfenstein said. Science teacher Charlena Sieve also has a Facebook account. “I got one mainly because of the National Honor Society group,” Sieve said. Sieve is friends with a few of her students, but Klopfenstein and science teacher Larry Hare said that they only friend their students after they’ve graduated. “I like to check up on how my past students are doing,” Hare said. “I’m friends with a few students from the baseball teams I coached back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. I also like to check the Outdoor Education Lab group page to see all the former employees since I’ve worked at that camp for almost 30 years.” Some teachers check theirs more often than others. “I don’t check mine very often,” Sieve said. “Probably about once every week or two.” Hare gets on Facebook two or three times a week. “I communicate with some of my old friends from high school and college,” he said. Many students think that teachers on Facebook will watch what they’re doing, but the truth is, teachers say they really don’t have any interest. “I really don’t care much about what everyone is doing at every moment of every day,” Klopfenstein said. Foreign Language teacher Jill Gouger doesn’t feel the need to have a Facebook. “I don’t really care about other teachers having Facebooks,” Gouger said. “They might use them to keep in touch with old friends, but if I really needed to talk to someone, I would pick up the phone and call them.” Students have mixed opinions on whether or not teachers should have Facebooks. “I think it’s pretty cool that teachers are becoming more tech savvy,” senior Tyler Goff said. While Goff thinks that teachers having Facebooks isn’t a bad idea, sophomore Annie Matheis thinks it’s a little strange. “I just think of Facebook as a Web site where you talk to your friends and get away from school,” Matheis said. “So it’s just a little weird to see teachers on it. But I guess they have social lives, too.” by Jordan McEntee.

The quest for the right clunker: After saving money, student encounters trouble in finding affordable, reliable car

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:06 +0000

When you give a mouse a cookie ... you have to give it a glass of milk too. Well, when you give a girl a drivers’ license ... you have to give her a car as well. Right? Wrong. As a sophomore, I dreamed about my 16th birthday. Waking up, seeing a shiny new BMW sitting in my driveway. On that day, my life would be complete. Unfortunately, that day never came. I did wake up on my sweet 16th to a nice card and two American Eagle shirts. And, on that day, I knew I would be on my own as far as cars were concerned. When I looked out the window to a vacant driveway, I was prepared to save my cash and buy the best clunker I could find in time for junior year. Believe it or not, I did. My car search began a month before school started. I flipped open the classifieds, and found a ‘97 Honda Civic. White, two door, manual transmission, 135K miles on it. For the money I had, it looked pretty good. My dad and I went to a small lot and met a guy named Steve who led us to the far back corner of the cracked-asphalt square off 69 Highway. I climbed into the passenger seat and watched as my dad put the key in the ignition. A loud, defying thump filled the air, and a millisecond later, my heart sank. “What’s wrong with it?” I asked. Steve replied with an answer that solidified my decision. “Oh, that there’s the air compressor. Doesn’t work good.” Doesn’t work good? My search continued. A day later, I found myself at a residence in Independence, Mo. Another Civic, this one fire-engine red, was frying under the hot, August sun, in a gravel driveway. The owner tossed my dad the keys, and we took it for a spin. Unfortunately, whenever my father’s foot touched the gas pedal, a deafening roar sounded that could be heard up and down the block. A hole in the transmission. Not to mention, no A/C. After five minutes, I couldn’t bear the feeling of my legs sticking to the vinyl seats any longer. This car was a no-go. My quest for a good ride led me from way up north to way down south. The day before school started had arrived. My dream of being a junior with my own car seemed out of the question. My family traveled down to Harrisonville, Mo., to see one, final car before school resumed. We drove down a gravel road and pulled into a long driveway. Sitting at the very end of the lane was a dinged-up ‘97 Toyota Corolla. I made my way around the car, examining every minute detail. The cosmetics were not good. There was paint chipping from the roof as well as some from the doors. A massive hole was torn in the fabric of the ceiling. The grill was missing. Nevertheless, we gave the thing a go. It drove very well, for a 12-year-old machine. There were no strange noises like some of the other cars we tried had. It accelerated and braked like a car half its age. By the time the test drive was over, I had fallen head over heels in love with the little car. This was the first time in my life that I knew I could do anything I set my mind to. No matter how many people told me my goal to buy my own car wasn’t feasible, I stayed with it anyway. The choice was 100 percent mine. I was the one with the money, and therefore the one with the decision to make. We filled out the papers, and a half-hour later, the forest green beauty was mine. That moment was the proudest of my life. Every time I look at my little green car, I feel a sense of accomplishment that few other students can. And as I walk through the parking lot on my way to school each morning, the shiny new BMW I pass isn’t as appealing anymore. by Caitlin Holland.

Tigers fall short in first two games, but raise the bar in the community

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:07 +0000

After a playoff berth last season and with a returning varsity quarterback, senior Anthony Abenoja, hopes were high for this season. But after losses to Manhattan and Blue Valley Northwest, both at home, BV sits at 0-2 with seven turnovers so far in the season. Eliminating those turnovers is the key to turning the games the other way, according to coach Steve Rampy. “Salina Central is a good team and if we make the same kind of mistakes again we’re going to lose again, it’s the same in any game,” he said. According to Rampy, the difference between 2-0 and the current 0-2 is between 10-15 plays, but those plays could hurt the team further down the road. “We’ve got a bunch of young guys playing without much confidence who should be playing better than they are,” Rampy said. “We’re out there practicing every day to try and build confidence. You can’t play this game without confidence and it’s hard to be confident at 0-2.” The team plays away tonight at Salina Central at 7 p.m. by Ryan O'Toole.

Staying Together For the Kids: Blink-182 reunion exceeds student’s expectations

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:09 +0000

We waited five months for it. And now it’s here. I’ve had an insatiable love for Blink-182 since I was in the fifth grade. Their songs provided me with humor and insight that got me through these awkward teenage years. And now they’re back. And they were within a mile from me. Without Blink, I would have never met one of my closest friends, senior Cole Owen. Around the same time in our childhoods, we were introduced to the same band. We grew up to their music. We grew to become close friends through the memorization of every lyric and the emulation of every song on our guitars. As a city, we seemed to dodge a bullet with this concert as well. With the untimely death of Travis Barker’s friend, DJ AM, the band canceled all shows up to Sept. 4. — the night we had been dreaming about. This is the story of the night I will tell my kids about. The night that we will reminisce about every time we see each other as old men. The best beginning to a senior year that I could have ever imagined. 2:30 p.m. The rain let up as we walked through the gates. We headed to the general admission section in the front of the venue. People started to file in as we watched the opening mainstage bands play. During the performances by the Republic Tigers and Chester French, everyone kept to themselves. But once Taking Back Sunday took the stage, it all began. The back of the crowd seemed to press forward against all of us in the front within a matter of seconds. 8:30 p.m. Nearly everyone in the general admission section had the same goal: to get closer to the stage. We pushed up as far as we could, and ended up about four people back from the front barrier. I grew nervous for Blink to take the stage. Was it going to be what I expected? Mark Hoppus’s guitar tech began throwing out his guitar picks from the nights before. I made it my goal to catch a pick. I jumped up and hit it before it traveled farther, and scanned the ground to find it. The chances of catching a guitar pick from your idol are slim to none. 9:00 p.m. The sound tech began playing songs for us. After some Tenacious D, he put on the classic “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung. The crowd sang along to the ‘80s masterpiece until the final lyric. Immediately after the song stopped, Travis chopped his high-hat three times and the curtain fell. Goosebumps laced every single inch of my skin as the opening guitar line to “Dumpweed” was played, and the noise from the crowd was deafening. This was it. The moment I had waited eight years for. After four classics, Mark walked up to the microphone and gave an old classic a new meaning. “This song is now about the three of us,” he said before playing “Stay Together for the Kids”, a song written about divorce. Before the encore, they played my favorite songs, “Reckless Abandon” and “Anthem Part 2” as an ode to teenage recklessness. The crowd moved furiously during the songs with everyone on the same young wavelength, no matter their respective ages. After a brief walk offstage, the band returned with Mark playing the bass line to their oldest hit, “Carousel”. At that moment, the true fans were defined. The song, released before they ever appeared on radio or MTV, seemed a “thank you” to the band’s oldest fans. And as they do with every show, they closed the night off with “Dammit”, arguably the most commonly known song the band ever wrote. Confetti shot out of huge cannons on both sides of the stages as nearly everyone in attendance smiled from ear to ear. “We’ll see you next time!” Mark said. I finally realized that my favorite band wasn’t going anywhere. by AJ Barbosa.

Presidential speech evokes varying opinions

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:19 +0000

The school day was briefly interrupted Tuesday, Sept. 8 for President Barack Obama’s speech to students concerning their responsibility to education. “His speech related to students,” senior Aziza Moolla said. “It inspired me to work harder and pursue my goals.” Though some students chose to stay and listen to the president, many chose to opt out. Students who made the decision not to watch the speech were put in the commons where they had the opportunity to work on schoolwork. However, some students said the attempt to create an effective working environment was not successful. “The rules weren’t well enforced,” sophomore Alvin Xing said. “It was even louder than the lunchroom.” Sophomore Luke McElwain didn’t see the point of making time for the speech during the school day. “It was a good thought but I don’t think it really inspired anybody,” McElwain said. “He’s overusing his popularity.” Students weren’t the only ones critical of President Obama’s speech. Principal Scott Bacon received about 20 calls and e-mails from concerned parents. “Early on, there was confusion about the content,” Bacon said. “There was the perception that students were being asked to view it without their parents. I think it was well-intended and I appreciate the intentions to encourage and motivate students.” by Sara Naatz.

ACT/SAT prep class teaches techniques, tricks to raise scores

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:19 +0000

Heart pounding out of my chest. Number 2 pencils clinched in my fists so hard my hands are turning pale. A constant tapping of my foot. Directions from an instructor are coming from somewhere in the same room as me. But from where? My eyes are focused on the large stack of booklets strategically placed at the front of the room. This is my future. This is the ACT. Or in reality, my practice ACT. So, maybe not my future quite yet. But at the time, I could only imagine what it would feel like once I sat down for that test. As a student who has done relatively well in school and never been one to fret over tests before, this was a feeling I was not used to. I knew I was in need of a confidence booster. After some research, I signed up for a prep class at night. One of my many concerns about the class: the time commitment. Junior year with challenging classes is not the best time to be spending at least one night a week with total strangers going over the ACT. However, I had no choice as to when I took the class. My inevitable date with the test was scheduled for the end of junior year. And who am I kidding? If I had not signed up for this class, I would not have done any studying. Even while sitting in the class I wasn’t sure that it was helping much. Sure I picked up a tip here and there, but for the most part it was information I already knew. But when my scores arrived and my cumulative score was up by four points, I wasn’t going to complain anymore about having to spend a couple hours a week poring over The Real ACT Prep Guide. A study released last May by The National Association for College Admission Counseling claimed that prep test companies inflate the value of their products. That may be true as far as teaching new information, but the classes (or at least the one I attended) focus on the tricks of the test and how to maneuver your way through them. And that information is invaluable when it comes to calming nerves in order to be ready on test day. Only 26 percent of the class of 2009 students who took the ACT in Kansas met all four College Readiness Benchmark Scores. Maybe more people need to look into taking these classes. Blue Valley has taken steps to help students boost their scores by offering a prep class and providing free practice PSATs to selected juniors. Whether the extra help is being offered to make the district look impressive or solely to help students prepare for college is another debate. The SAT and ACT may not be the best judge of whether or not students are ready for college, but as long as they’re required, you might as well find a way to impress colleges with your scores by signing up for a prep class. by Stephanie Roche.

Staff Editorial: Students should realize consequences of making bad choices

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:19 +0000

Hundreds of parents and students shuffled in to the gym Aug 31. Every volleyball player, football star and Chambers singer found a seat in the bleachers. All sports and activities registered in the Kansas State High School Activities Association were required to attend the Wrong of Passage presentation. This hour and a half didn’t bring up anything students hadn’t heard before. Drinking is bad, so don’t do it. Reality check: Teenage drinking and substance abuse is nothing new. It’s been around for decades and most likely won’t disappear in the near future. However, shocking statistics reveal that underage drinking is far more prevalent than we first thought. According to a newly-released survey, 13 is now the average age of consuming alcohol for the first time. Those seventh graders who begin drinking are also four times more likely to develop alcoholism later in life. Oh, and nationally each week, at least 42 adolescents will die in a drinking-related accident. This is a difficult problem with no easy solution. The warnings of parents, teachers and school administrators can wash away with just one sip. We’ve heard the horror stories. The senior from some other school dying in a drunk-driving accident. That kid who needed his stomach pumped at 3 a.m. to keep him alive. The person who loses her license from multiple DUIs. So what will it take for a teenager to step up and realize drinking is a dangerous habit? Imagine your best friend being killed by a drunk driver. Or how about you killing your best friend in an accident? “No way. That could never happen to me.” “I’m not that stupid, I would never let that happen.” Remember those kids from the over-told horror stories of drinking? That’s exactly what they thought, too. The truth is, teenagers are not super human. We don’t have nine lives or bullet-proof skin. And as much as we like to think so, we definitely don’t know everything. A mother’s story of the night she received a 1 a.m. phone call from the hospital could break anyone’s heart. Would you want to put your family through that pain? The heartache lives on as a reminder to other teenagers that drinking harms not just you, but your friends and family as well. If your family doesn’t seem like a good enough reason to act responsibly, maybe your teammates and coaches are. Consuming alcohol on a regular basis slows the body down, adds extra weight to the body and causes permanent brain damage. No coach or teammate wants an athlete who continuously hurts the performance of the rest of the team. Take a look at the consequences that directly affect you. The $1,300 drunk-driving ticket. The criminal record you earn from underage drinking. The long-term brain and liver damage. The bad decisions you regret for years to come. The message from the Wrong of Passage may sound like a broken record, the horror stories drawn-out and warnings from parents and school officials monotonous. The only way to cease these stories and warnings is to put words in to action. Think before you let yourself be pressured into one more drink. Think before you get behind the wheel of a car after a long night. Be aware and be smart. Don’t allow yourself to become another statistic.

My Voice: Too much time spent in constant communication with others

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:22 +0000

We all say we’re too busy. We all complain about having to get up too early and not having enough time to sleep. Between club meetings, work, practices and homework, we feel like we don’t have any extra time. However, a vast majority of us, no matter how busy we supposedly are, still find time to text friends or boyfriends throughout each activity, check Facebook multiple times a day and sometimes just sit online for hours creeping on people. Humans are not supposed to be in constant communication with each other. Do we get that? We don’t actually have to be talking to everyone we know all the time. In fact, I’m pretty sure some of us would have serious panic attacks if all texting was nonexistent for a few weeks. I wish I could figure out how much time technology takes from our lives. I would bet that without Facebook and texting, we would all have time to write a few good novels and definitely get a lot more sleep. In the past two months, articles have been written in both the Kansas City Star and the Wall Street Journal about teens and adults with serious issues because of sleep deprivation. This is caused from having their cell phones in bed or staying up at night on Facebook. And can we please just talk about the ridiculousness of Facebook for a second? The amount of creepy boys who friend request girls based off of a square-inch profile picture makes me laugh. What do they really think will happen? It’s not like when a girl sees the “hey” message in her inbox from a guy she doesn’t even know (and I, by experience, know this really does happen), she’s going to be flattered and give him her phone number. Unless she’s really desperate, she will simply be creeped out and not respond. Facebook is not eHarmony. I never understood why we spend so much time writing notes or quizzing ourselves for all our friends to see. The worst is when couples honestly change their relationship status to “It’s complicated with...” when they’re going through a rough time in their meaningful high school relationship. I mean, really? Some things are supposed to be kept private, a right to which we fought for. So let us appreciate our privacy. Besides, in all honesty, people rarely even care to hear about it. Also it is unbelievable how much a Facebook friend is a non-friend in the non-cyber world. Someone you are “friends” with on Facebook, may be someone you would never ever dream of saying “Hi” to in the hallways. Someone you chat with whenever you’re both online at 1 a.m. may be someone you’ve never even met in person. Just think about it. It’s weird. I’m not saying Facebook is all bad. It keeps us in touch with old friends, allows communication for different school activities and lets our parents keep a tab on our social lives. Just kidding about the last one — although, for an increasing amount of us that’s the sad truth. And I’m not saying that texting is all bad either. I’m only saying that we each need to step back and look at what this technology has become for us in our daily lives. Technology is defined as “the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area” by Merriam-Webster. So let’s use it that way: sensibly and realistically. by Katie Louis.

Online classes offer alternative

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:28 +0000

A new age of education is being ushered into the halls of Blue Valley. Many new courses are available online and even more students are taking them. Two of the classes offered in previous years are Health and Computer Applications, both of which are credits required for graduation. Physical Education is one of the newer online classes and is expected to become popular at BV. “You have to read a 355-page book and write essays,” said freshman Katie Overman, online P.E. student.”In a perfect world you would not have to read the huge book. That is probably the only thing that I would change. I think for a very determined person, the class is set up successfully.” Last school year, the Blue Valley School District Board took a vote on whether or not to offer online physical education. Parents and students voted, deciding that it would be beneficial for this course to be given. “Students wanted flexibility with their classes,” counselor Deb Atkinson said. “Online classes are now the ‘goin’ thing. There’s interest and want for these kind of classes.” For online P.E., students log four fitness hours per week by doing physical activity with a heart-rate monitor that wraps around the chest. Along with that, the student wears a watch that picks up their heart rate wirelessly. “The heart-rate monitors are helpful but if you forget to wear them, you can’t get in all the time that you have to do for the week,” Overman said. The district decided to create online courses in order to meet the demands from students needing more room in their four-year schedule, students needing to re-take a class because of a low grade and transfer students. Other dilemmas with online classes have arisen, such as communication gaps between students and teachers. “This is new and different,” said Brett Potts, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. “With change there is always a little uneasiness. Some have been doubtful of this program’s success but others have embraced the changes.” Online students keep in touch with their teacher through e-mail. They also use blogs and forums for discussions. “Daily interaction with your teacher cannot be replicated on computer,” Potts said.by Emily Brown and Matthew Holloway.

District, community prepares for upcoming flu season

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:31 +0000

The United States is in the midst of the secondary wave of the swine flu. The World Health Organization decided to raise its pandemic level to its highest level this June. Thus, ushering the world into the 2009 pandemic, H1N1 influenza (also known as “swine flu”). “Symptoms of H1N1 are really very similar to the seasonal flu, with high fevers, body aches, sore throat, headache and cough,” Family Practitioner Genelle Slagle said. ”However, people with the H1N1 virus may also encounter diarrhea and vomiting, as well. If a person has any flu like symptoms, they just need to see their doctor ASAP.” This resurgence of the H1N1 virus is expected to cause turmoil for hospitals and school districts alike. In nearby Lawrence, cases of the virus have appeared in the University of Kansas dorms, confining several college students to their rooms. The Blue Valley district has not had any reported cases yet but is still preparing for the worst. “Right now they are taking it case by case and monitoring students’ absences,” school nurse Kayce Powers said. “This is a wait-and-see kind of thing.” The district placed information about the flu on its Web site hoping to prevent the spread of the virus. Officials want to keep the school open and functioning in a normal manner during the flu season. If the flu condition becomes critical, the district will work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the county to see what should be done. With the upcoming flu season, many things are still unknown. “There is some concern about having enough vaccines,” Slagle said. “However, the CDC has fairly specific guidelines for who is at highest risk and this will determine who receives priority for receiving the two-shot series for H1N1.” Until a lack of vaccines becomes reality, Powers encourages students to get both the seasonal shot and the swine flu vaccine, which will become available to the public late this month or early October. by Emily Brown.

SAT test dates determined

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:35 +0000

Students who plan on taking an SAT exam this year need to sign up in the counseling office. The registration and test dates are as follows: Oct. 1 is the registration deadline for the Nov. 7 test. Dec. 15 is the registration deadline for the Jan. 23 test. Feb. 4 is the registration deadline for the March 13 test. March 25 is the registration deadline for the May 1 test. April 29 is the registration deadline for the June 5 test. by Annie Burress.

Blue Valley reincarnated the Wrong of Passage program, hoping to bridge communication gap between parents, students

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:43 +0000

ucated about underage drinking and substance abuse, Blue Valley administrators required all participants in fall activities to attend the Wrong of Passage presentation Aug. 31. Attendance was mandatory for all activities under the guidelines of Kansas State High School Activities Association. “It had become apparent through a survey students here at BV took, that alcohol use and substance abuse is a big deal,” Principal Scott Bacon said. “We cannot turn our backs to it. Lectures do no good for the students, so we decided to use this program.” At the presentation a panel of prevention center personnel, law enforcement and patrons gave information on teen drinking and substance abuse. “We recognize it isn’t easy for students,” Athletic Director Bob Whitehead said. “Opportunities do present themselves. We want to do everything possible to have the best school we can. ” At the presentation, the panel strongly encouraged parents and students to discuss the topic of teen drinking and drug use. “It’s plain and simple, parents have the final call,” Bacon said. “They need to educate and mandate their children that nothing good comes from drinking.” According to the panel, 50 percent of students who talk about drinking with their parents or a guardian are less likely to illegally drink. “Parents need to sit down with their child and let them know that drinking at such a young age or putting these harmful substances into their bodies have life-threatening consequences,” sophomore cross country runner Bailey Swimmer said. “Students need to be monitored more with who they hang out with and exactly what they are doing.” The hope of the school and the panel was to make a difference in how students view drinking and drugs. “Unfortunately, I feel that there are many kids in our school who just sat through it thinking ‘this is a waste of my time’ and ‘no one even cares about this’,” said senior Taylor Armstrong, a member of the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Task Force. “This may not have had the impact that our school wished it would have had.” The Drug and Alcohol Prevention Task Force encourages students to say no to drugs. This year the club is also going to reach out to younger students so they can begin thinking about their own future, and what it will be like without alcohol. They present messages to students that allow them to see the consequences of drinking and drugs. “Our school needs to keep pushing the problem of underage drinking and drug usage,” Armstrong said. “We all know it is going on at our school and we all know people who do it, the question is what are we going to do about it?” Blue Valley has recognized that there is a problem with drinking and substance abuse within the community. “Every student is different as to why they might drink,” Bacon said. “Some feel peer pressure, some feel it is an escape route from reality, some from just plain curiosity. I hope their goals and dreams are so beyond significant that they don’t need and don’t want it.” by Jordan Huesers.

Consequences of tardy policy include 90-minute detentions

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:44 +0000

There is a new tardy policy in place with four different levels of procedure. The first three tardies are handled by the teacher. Upon a fourth tardy, the student will be sent to the office with referral sheets to hand to the office. A 90-minute Thursday school (7:30-9 a.m. or 3-4:30 p.m.) will be assigned. A second referral to the office will result in a Saturday school and parents will be contacted. In the event of a third and fourth referral, students will be assigned an ISS or other comparable consequence and parents will be contacted. There is a scanning system for first- and second-hour tardies only. The system will log in each tardy instead of the teacher. “We are trying to maximize class time by making sure kids are in class,” said Brett Potts, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. “It’s too early to tell if it’s working so far but I have noticed a reduction of people in the hallways.” Tardy counts start over at the beginning of second semester. by Christian Huesers

Senior earns perfect score on ACT, attributes success to BV teachers, family

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:49 +0000

verage composite score for high school students nationwide is a 21.1. Although this may be the average, senior Johnathon Davis has risen above the average to perfection, receiving a score of 36 on his ACT. Unlike some students, he did not take an ACT prep course. But his work ethic throughout high school and completing an ACT practice book, led to his success. “I’ve worked really hard in high school,” Davis said. “So that carried over to my ACT. I prepared a lot, but it’s not like I have spent my entire life on it.” Davis enjoys science and math classes the most. He has appreciated the help and encouragement of math teacher Adam Wade and chemistry teacher Charlena Sieve. Sieve said Davis is always prepared and does everything on time. She added he is a very responsible student and is also an overall great person. “He’s a real class act,” Sieve said. “He is a very humble person. He is comfortable with himself and nice to everyone. I have never seen him be rude or out of line with anyone.” Along with the teachers, Davis’ family has also pushed and motivated him to succeed. “They encouraged me to practice but they didn’t force me,” he said. “They didn’t necessarily say ‘If you don’t get a 36 on your ACT, we won’t feed you for a week.’” His family has been extremely proud of him, including his score on the ACT. “My brother climbed that ladder of success and rang that shiny bell at the top of the ladder and proclaimed to the world ‘I got a 36 on the ACT’,” sophomore Evelyn Davis said of her brother’s success. “Proud just doesn’t even cover it.” Davis said some of his family and teachers may not have fully believed his success but that was not the case with Sieve. “That didn’t surprise me, he’s highly capable,” Sieve said. “He’s not just gifted, he has a great work ethic.” by Jane Webb.

Beefed-Up Bully Policy: Survey results compel administration to tackle bullying problem, develop new programs

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:53 +0000

Bullying has always been a part of high school culture. And with 32 percent of students seeing it as a problem everyday, Principal Scott Bacon decided to make a few changes. “My heart sank when I saw the percent,” Bacon said. “I want students to walk into this school and say, ‘Wow, this is a really different place’.” In response to the survey, Bacon plans to meet in a classroom environment with random groups of 20-30 students to listen to their concerns and ideas. He plans to meet with the students each quarter and get their feedback on how to put an end to bullying. “The groups of students will be random and I want it to be a personal environment,” Bacon said. “Meeting with 20-30 should not be confrontational and I feel like I’ll be able to talk to a good amount of students.” Students also agree that this will be an open setting to meet in. “I think that is a really good idea,” junior Evan Woods said. “Students definitely will open up.” Fifty-nine percent of the current juniors and seniors said they were never bullied. In their exit survey, 96-97 percent of the class of 2009 said that they had never been bullied. “We do the survey to treat students as adults and give them a voice,” Bacon said. There is more to doing the survey than just giving students a voice. “Blue Valley has been working with a network of four other high schools from Houston and Chicago to analyze the school climate,” Bacon said. The program is called Twelve Under Twelve. The goal is to get 12 schools (four elementary, four middle and four high schools) all to 100 percent of students at proficiency in reading and math. Bacon said school climate was recently added to the program. He visited the Houston area high schools last year. Teams from the other schools will be visiting BVHS in October. The other high schools will be here for about a day to see what it’s like at BV. The teams will be talking to students, observing teachers and their methods and looking at our school culture. “It’s neat to get an outside set of eyes to give criticism to our school,” Bacon said. Teachers have also beefed-up their Zero Tolerance Policies. All teachers included a statement dealing with anti-bullying in their directives. Teacher Azadeh Taghizadeh decided to do it a little bit differently. “I try to talk to my students as adults, and set my expectations high so that no one gets left behind,” Taghizadeh said. “I think that the bullying we have here is friends making fun of friends and they won’t stand up for themselves, so they just take it.” Her advice to all students is to be confident and involved. “We need leaders to step up and tell the bullies ‘Look, you’re not cool or funny so just stop’,” she said. “Then students can look at each other as equals and not have a problem with bullying.” Teachers have been asked to maintain a presence in the hallways during passing periods. “The number one deterrent of bullying is (having an adult) be visible,” Bacon said. by Sam Brennan.

Voluntary BVSW transfers ineligible to play varsity during fall semester

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:55 +0000

Students choosing to transfer to Blue Valley Southwest High School will not be able to play varsity sports during their first semester, according to BVSW Athletic Director Gary Howard. “It is a state law that any time a student transfers to a new school, they are not allowed to play in a varsity sport their first 18 weeks there,” he said. This means students choosing to transfer will only be allowed to participate in the second half of winter sports and spring sports. For players involved in winter sports, this means they’ll play junior varsity to start the season. Athletes can move up to varsity at the coaches’ discretion after 18 weeks. Howard, currently a Blue Valley West assistant principal, does not agree with the rule regarding transfer students in varsity sports. “I would like it to change and for kids to play varsity as soon as they can,” he said. Sophomores required to change schools are still hesitant about what it will be like to play there. Sophomore Jake Hackney currently plays varsity soccer for BV and lives in the BVSW attendance area. He has mixed feelings about the move. “I do look forward to the new school and I don’t,” Hackney said. “I do because it’s a brand new school and facility, but I don’t because I am leaving all the friends and tradition here at Blue Valley.” Hackney also seemed a little uncertain about what it would be like to play with kids from BVW. “It will be interesting to see what goes on the first few weeks but eventually I think we will all get along and try to play as a team,” he said. Sophomore track athlete Ellie Stewart is looking forward to the chance to compete with student rivals from BVW instead of against them for once. “I am excited to go to school with kids from West because it will give us a chance to be friends with, who are right now, our biggest enemies on the field,” Stewart said. For sophomore Sarah-Margaret Heffernon, whose family has attended BV, it will be especially tough to leave. “Right now I don’t really want to go to Southwest because everyone on my dad’s side of the family has gone to Blue Valley,” she said. Heffernon played JV softball for the Tigers last year and will play her final year at BV with the team before becoming a BVSW Timberwolf. “I think that if we started at one school that’s where we should graduate, because if you spend two years at one and two years at another you didn’t really go to one in particular,” she said. “I think once I get there I will get used to it and end up loving it but it will just take time.” According to the BVSW website, the school will be a member of the Eastern Kansas League (EKL) for athletics and probably open as a large 4A school. Varsity home games will be played at BVSW except for football, which will play at the District Activity Complex, at BVHS. by Chris Roche.

Learning in the real world: Students excel in the CAPS program by working hands-on with professionals in various fields

bvtigernews — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:30:59 +0000

As she carefully finishes taping another student’s ankle, senior Brooke McNerlin steps back to admire her work. Today’s class taught the proper way to wrap an injured foot. Tomorrow, McNerlin will begin forming her own physical therapy program for injured athletes. “We are able to have real hands-on experience,” McNerlin said. “We’re learning why and how you take care of certain injuries.” Every morning during the week, McNerlin spends two-and-half hours in a sports medicine and athletic training course offered through the district’s new CAPS program. The Center for Advanced Professional Studies is unique compared to high schools around the country. CAPS was developed to give students real-life exposure to different career fields. The program, open to all juniors and seniors, offers courses including Law and Public Safety, Bioscience, Education and Global Business. “We worked with local businesses throughout the community to put kids in the real work environment,” CAPS Executive Director Donna Deeds said. “This was something business owners were highly supportive of. This program enables students to become employees that can be hired quickly.” Deeds also worked to organize mentors for the CAPS students. Each course has employees that work directly with the students on various projects. “It’s one thing to sit and learn in theory,” school counselor Sandy Fryer said. “But this program allows the students to go out into the community and interact with actual workers. It allows for a more realistic feel.” After only a few short weeks in the athletic training department, McNerlin is already familiar with wrapping and taping injuries, certified in CPR and has taken a trip to MidAmerica Nazarene University to see professional athletic trainers on the job. “It’s so interesting because I am choosing to learn about this,” McNerlin said. “I’m excited to come to class everyday because it’s what I want to learn about and it’s what interests me.” Continuing the course next semester, McNerlin will be able to interact with more college and professional athletic trainers. She will also be spending more time at MidAmerica, working with the trainers. Senior Clayton Kruger also participates in CAPS. He’s a student in the digital electronics course and spends the second half of his day at the architectural and engineering group, DRL. While there, Kruger works on wiring circuits and is paired with a mentor from the DRL group. “I feel much more prepared for a real-world job,” Kruger said. “This is extra experience I can apply to an actual job compared to just reading out of a textbook.” Kruger became interested in the program when he heard about the involvement of the course outside of school. “It’s different from sitting and listening to a lecture,” Kruger said. “I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything from not being in a classroom all day.” This course also gives students the chance to decide if their chosen field is the right career path for them. “Ultimately, they are finding out if this is what they want to pursue in college,” Fryer said. “This is a more professional approach for students.” It also doesn’t hurt that the CAPS program is a powerful addition to any college resume. “It speaks to students’ motivation and wanting to get out of the everyday classroom,” Fryer said. “It definitely gives you a leg up on the competition.” With a new CAPS building opening in the fall of 2010, the program hopes to expand and offer more courses to a larger number of students. “There are businesses coming to us that want to be part of our program,” Deeds said. “However, our courses will change with the industry. Jobs that are popular now may change in the next few years, so CAPS will change as well.” by Allison Kohn.

Tryouts for foreign language production of "Snow White" Tuesday and Wednesday

bvtigernews — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:47:19 +0000

The Foreign Language students from BVHS are putting on a production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" for the feeder middle schools. It will be presented in Spanish, French, German and Latin in the third week in January. Tryouts will be held this week on Tuesday and Wednesday in room 302. The main focus of the presentation is to get middle school students interested, and to stay interested in foreign language throughout high school. "We want to expose the kids to foreign language," Spanish teacher Tina Martinat said. "Who knows, maybe someday they'll be the students presenting this show." by Jordan McEntee.

Mark Sharenbrock

bvtigernews — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:18:03 +0000

Motivational speaker Mark Sharenbrock stands in the gym at the beginning of the assembly on Sept. 14. This was Sharenbrock's third time speaking to BV students. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

Motivational speaker Mark Scharenbroich visits BV

bvtigernews — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:19:33 +0000

Motivational speaker Mark Scharenbroich stands in the gym at the beginning of the assembly on Sept. 14. This was Scharenbroich's third time speaking to BV students. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

Mark Sharenbrock

bvtigernews — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:20:29 +0000

Motivational speaker Mark Sharenbrock stands in the gym at the beginning of the assembly on Sept. 14. This was Sharenbrock's third time speaking to BV students. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

New soccer complex improves playing experience for students

bvtigernews — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:40:21 +0000

The new Overland Park Soccer Complex, voted for by Johnson County residents last year, opened earlier this month. The complex cost nearly $36 million and features 12 lighted, regulation size, turf fields, covering 96 acres of land. The Manager of Soccer Complex Operations, Mike Laplante, is very pleased with how things have gone during the first few weeks of operation. "We're very excited about the opening of the new complex," Laplante said. He says that the biggest difference is in the fields. "Since they're turf, we are able to play regardless of the weather," he said. "And all the fields are lit, so that allows teams to play well into the evening." The new fields made drastic improvements for practices and games. "I feel like our team accomplishes more with all the new equipment," sophomore Olivia Roudebush said. Roudebush is pleased with the overall effect of the new complex. "Honestly, I didn't know what to expect," she said. "But right when I first walked on that field, I was amazed." By Jordan McEntee

Stridin' Tigers take first in 5A category at Blue Springs festival

bvtigernews — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:53:49 +0000

Blue Valley Stridin' Tigers Marching Band went to the Blue Springs Band Festival Saturday, Oct. 3, taking first place in several categories and fourth overall. The band received first place in the 5A class and got awards for outstanding music, outstanding marching, outstanding percussion, outstanding general effect and outstanding soloist, Meera Chakravarthy. Out of the bands performing, BV made it to finals and took fourth place overall in the competition. The band's next competition is at Lee's Summit North on Saturday Oct. 10. By Maegan Kabel

BV Tiger Print Nominated for Pacemaker Award

bvtigernews — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:33:18 +0000

Blue Valley High's Tiger Print Nominated forPacemaker Award

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more about "BV Tiger Print Nominated for Pacemake...", posted with vodpod

Sophomores and juniors take the PSAT Wednesday

bvtigernews — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:24:25 +0000

The PSAT for sophomores and juniors will be administered Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 7:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Sophomores will test in designated classrooms and juniors will test in the gym. The school day will last from 7:45-2:50 p.m. The students taking tests will only attend fifth and seventh hours. Students should have already signed up for the test and received a packet from College Board. By Caitlin Holland

PLAN and PACT testing scheduled for Thursday

bvtigernews — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:33:28 +0000

PLAN and PACT testing for sophomores and juniors is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15. School will begin at 7:45 a.m., rather than the usual late-start time of 9:00 a.m. Sophomores taking the PLAN and juniors taking the PACT will test during second and fourth hours. All students will attend sixth hour, including test takers. Students are released at 1:25 p.m., and TCB will be from 1:30 p.m.-1:55 p.m. By Caitlin Holland

Yearbook payment deadline is Oct. 30

bvtigernews — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:53:55 +0000

The last day to pre-order yearbooks is Friday, Oct. 30. Yearbooks cost $50, and pre-ordering is the only way to guarantee that you will get a yearbook. Payments can be made online or money can be brought in to Pat Fry in the office. Yearbooks may be purchased at the end of the year, but they will cost $60 instead of $50. These books will be sold on a first-come first-serve basis. To pay for a book online, go to https://secure.bluevalleyk12.org/onlinepayments/login.aspx. By Annie Burress

Perspective Drawing

bvtigernews — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:15:37 +0000

Freshman Sabrina Bode works on her perspective drawing for Design Fundamentals.

Picture of the Day: Perspective Drawing

bvtigernews — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:16:17 +0000

Freshman Sabrina Bode works on her perspective drawing for Design Fundamentals. Photo by Haley Hickman.

Perspective

bvtigernews — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:39:15 +0000

Freshman Sabrina Bode works on her perspective drawing for Design Fundamentals.

Perspective Drawing

bvtigernews — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:39:35 +0000

Freshman Sabrina Bode works on her perspective drawing for Design Fundamentals.

My Voice: "Balloon Boy" story sounds like a hoax

bvtigernews — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:36:30 +0000

The award for the most abnormal "trending topic" on Twitter goes to... #Balloonboy? Pardon me, I was in school all day. I didn't even know. Upon talking to my frantic mother in the afternoon I heard that, Falcon Heene, a 6-year-old boy from Colorado, got into a large helium balloon and floated away in the Rocky Mountain wind. Yikes. Helicopters from local news stations and the Colorado National Guard embarked above a slew of emergency vehicles attempting to track the balloon down. They planned desperate maneuvers to bring the balloon down from its mind-blowing 10,000 foot ascent. However, before those plans were put into effect, the balloon began to lose helium and slowly lowered towards an open field, much like how those "Happy Birthday" balloons do if you let them float for a day. Rescue vehicles swarmed the balloon after it made its comfortable landing, and according to one Denver news anchor, the emergency personnel on the scene soon reported via radio, "Be advised, the balloon is empty." At this point, the entire country, along with anyone abroad who was watching major news outlets such as Al-Jazeera and BBC, had to have been thinking of two scenarios. Either Heene never got into the balloon in the first place, or he panicked and jumped out. Later, authorities confirmed that Heene had been found sleeping in his attic. His parents spoke for him, saying that he had gone into hiding out of fear that he would be punished for letting the balloon go. At that moment, the entire country breathed an overwhelming sense of relief. I was relieved to hear this as well. I have a brother nearly the same age as the boy, and I honestly couldn't tell you how I'd feel if I would have been in the Heene family's shoes. My dad put it best by simply saying, "I'd be throwing up." When I got home later in the evening, I decided to look into what had happened. Apparently, the Heene family had a fascination for chasing storms and weather, thus explaining why they would have a large helium balloon in the first place. They also had appeared on the 100th episode of network television's "WifeSwap". The parents, along with Falcon and his two other brothers, took to CNN to be interviewed by Wolf Blitzer later on. Blitzer asked the boy why he never came out of hiding if his parents were calling his name. The boy reluctantly answered, "They said it was for the show." Excuse me, what? The parents immediately went silent, and after a few awkward moments, the mom let out a seemingly nervous "No..." before Blitzer changed the subject. Right there. I smell hoax. Here's some food for thought. The family had already been on reality TV. They obviously aren't afraid of the limelight, and could be possibly tagged as enjoying it. As news cameras filmed the family while the balloon was still in the air, the parents seemed eerily composed. The country seemed to be in a higher state of panic than them. The news stations in Denver aired footage of the family chasing storms, in which the boys stood in the bed of the truck in ridiculously severe weather while filming for their father. What kind of parent would take that risk when their children could be potentially hurt? If you saw the balloon, it looked like an old-school ice pack. It had a robust top, with a small extremity branching off the bottom that appeared to have no entrypoint. According to the parents, they were worried he had gotten into the "carriage" below it. I'm no weather-buff, but there didn't appear to be a carriage. If the boy was inside the balloon, he would have suffocated, given that the balloon was full of solely helium. The balloon was made of a thin foil-like substance. Although it was large, it doesn't seem like even that amount of helium could lift a boy. To top it all off, he said "[My parents] said it was for the show." Once again, I have a brother around the same age as Heene. Kids that young do NOT lie that sophisticatedly. Trust me, I know. I very well could be wrong. Honestly though, if I was, I wouldn't be too regretful. There are too many things pointing towards this being a hoax than not. I fervently believe that Heene's father used this as a stunt to keep his family in the limelight after their show had aired. He succeeded in that, but he also succeeded in scaring the wits out of millions of people. Nothing but an All-American disgrace. As Kanye West would say, we've got to be happy for the crop-circles next time, but the Heene family will have had the best hoax of all time. Of all time! Hopefully someone gets that joke. by AJ Barbosa.

Spirit week themes determined

bvtigernews — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:30:22 +0000

Spirit week is the week before homecoming, Monday, Oct. 25 - Friday, Oct. 30. The themes for each day are as follows: Monday - Support Your Favorite College Day Tuesday - What Not to Wear Day Wednesday - Music Era Day Thursday - Blue Valley West/80s Work Out Day Friday - Black and Gold day By Caitlin Holland

College visits for week of Oct. 19

bvtigernews — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:46:29 +0000

Several universities will come to visit and talk with students about admissions this week. The days for each of these visits are: Lincoln College of Technology, Tuesday, Oct. 20 Emory University, Tuesday, Oct. 20 Universtiy of Southern California, Tuesday, Oct. 20 University of Missouri, Tuesday, Oct. 20 Northwest Missouri State University, Wednesday, Oct. 21 Truman State, Wednesday, Oct. 21 Rockhurst, Thursday, Oct. 22 By Caitlin Holland

Charity Tailgate before Homecoming football game Oct. 30

bvtigernews — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:19:42 +0000

On Oct. 30 at 5:00 p.m., there will be a charity tailgate before the Blue Valley Homecoming football game against Blue Valley West. The tailgate will benefit Touching Tiny Lives, a Kansas City based organization that helps families and young children that have been affected by HIV/AIDS. This event will take place in the band lot area near the main parking lot. Two Guys and a Grill will be serving hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, or a brat with chips and a drink for $5. There will also be a DJ, face painting, and a bake sale that will be put on by Student Council members from BV and BV West. by Christian Huesers.

Staff

bvtigernews — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:29:22 +0000

Editors

Stephanie Roche, Co-Editor-in-Chief Stephanie has been on the newspaper for three years. She is involved in many activities within the school, including Diversity Club, KAY Club, Headrush, NHS and is a Tiger Mentor. She is thrilled to be a part of The Tiger Print and hopes to study Graphic Design in college.

Allison Kohn, Co-Editor-in-Chief Allison has been on the newspaper for three years. She is also a Tiger Mentor, runs Cross Country, and is a member of StuCo, NHS, and NSHS.

Caitlin Holland, News Editor This is Caitlin's second year on The Tiger Print. She loves newspaper, school, and running. She's on the cross country team, and is involved in Project Hunger, Clubs for Change, NSHS and Youth Court. She works at Jersey Boyz, manages the wrestling team, and volunteers in her free time.

AJ Barbosa, Opinions Editor AJ has been on newspaper for three years. He is a member of the rugby team, works at Blue Moose, and hopes to work for either ESPN or Rolling Stone.

Katie Louis, Features Editor

Rachel McCullough, Entertainment Editor

Ryan O'Toole, Sports Editor This is Ryan's second year on staff. He plays soccer, and enjoys conservative politics in his free time.

Jackie Lippert, Photo Editor

Jacob Pruitt, Ads Manager This is Jacob's first year on newspaper. He is a junior, and plays rugby.

Chris Roche, Circulation Manager This is Chris's first year on newspaper.

Sara Naatz, Multimedia Editor This is Sara's first year on newspaper. She enjoys cross country, soccer, school, and other clubs in her free time.

Staff Writers

Sam Brennan Sam swims 24/7 on the Blazers. She's in KAY Club and Project Hunger, and loves spending time with friends.

Emily Brown

Annie Burress Annie is very involved in two churches, and loves running and hanging out with friends.

Connor Cape Connor likes Mizzou, and faith plays a monstrous role in his life.

Brice Goldenberg Brice likes to read, write, and draw.

Matthew Gruber Matthew enjoys writing sports columns. He plays baseball for BV, as well as recreational basketball.

Matthew Holloway Matthew likes playing soccer and riding dirt bikes.

Jordan Huesers Jordan is a sophomore who enjoys playing volleyball, volunteering at Johnson County Youth Court, hanging with friends, and being involved at church youth group. Her favorite book and movie is Pride and Prejudice.

Jordan McEntee Jordan loves playing soccer, and her favorite class is AP Euro.

Haley Schroer Haley is a member of the Classy Ladies Choir, and participates in dance outside of school.

James Statham James loves to watch and play sports, and is a dog person.

Photographers

Haley Hickman Haley loves photography, and is a part of It's Up to Us and T.A.D.D. (Tigers Against Destructive Decisions).

Christian Huesers

Maegan Kabel Maegan loves to read, write, and play with her pets at home.

Emma Mosier Emma is involved in many art-related clubs around BV and loves knitting.

What Not to Wear Day - Haley Cook

bvtigernews — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:28:42 +0000

Senior Haley Cook shows of her school spirit on "What not to Wear Day".

What Not to Wear Day - Joey Walter, Greg Martin, Alex Taylor

bvtigernews — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:30:12 +0000

Senior Joey Walter, Greg Martin and Alex Taylor dress up for "What Not to Wear Day" during Spirit Week.

Spirit Week - 'What Not to Wear' Day

bvtigernews — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:31:54 +0000

Photos by Haley Hickman. [gallery]

Homecoming Assembly

bvtigernews — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:09:59 +0000

Senior nominees for Homecoming King and Queen Tyler Smiley, Evan Palmer, Dalton Homolka, Rachel McCullough, Ryan Cauffield and Kaitlin Long are announced during the Homecoming Assembly.

Homecoming Assembly

bvtigernews — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:13:30 +0000

Senior nominees for Homecoming King and Queen Tyler Smiley, Evan Palmer, Dalton Homolka, Rachel McCullough, Ryan Cauffield and Kaitlin Long are announced during the Homecoming Assembly. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

Homecoming candidates announced

bvtigernews — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:13:52 +0000

Senior nominees for Homecoming Royalty Tyler Smiley, Evan Palmer, Dalton Homolka, Rachel McCullough, Ryan Cauffield and Kaitlin Long are announced during the Homecoming Assembly. Other senior nominees are Katie Louis, Tyler Disney, Brian Peck, and Emily Jones. Junior attendants are Sherry Farrahi and Steven Stinson. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

Homecoming Assembly

bvtigernews — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:18:17 +0000

So You Think You Can Dance cast performs at Sprint Center

bvtigernews — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:27:09 +0000

The So You Think You Can Dance Season Five contestants graced the stage of the Sprint Center last Sunday to perform multiple crowd-favorite routines. The top five girls and the top five boys performed in the show along with special guest appearances from two dancers who did not make the cut: Phillip Chbeeb and Caitlin Kinney. The performance opened with a hip hop group number and then proceeded to show various couples dances like the disco routine between Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant, the contemporary routine between winner Jeanine Mason and Jason Glover and a lyrical routine between Kupono Aweau and Kayla Radomski. It was a recurring theme throughout the show for Mason and Chbeeb to attempt to perform their Russian folkdance, which according to producer Nigel Lythgoe was a major failure. The performance finally ended with one last Halloween group dance.

Poll: What's your must-see fall show?

bvtigernews — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:02:51 +0000

[polldaddy poll=2215534]

Feedback Policy

bvtigernews — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:09:17 +0000

The Tiger Print is an open forum for student and other public expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its audience. Therefore it welcomes feedback, including letters to the editor, guest columns and other expressions of opinion from students, faculty, administrators, community residents and the general public. The Tiger Print staff will work to maintain the intent of feedback providers but reserves the right to edit all such submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy, obscenity, and other factors consistent with Kansas Senate Bill #62. In addition, the staff reserves the right to edit feedback to eliminate coarse language, racism, sexism, homophobia, misstatements of fact, comments without an obvious connection to the target story, advertising, and personal attacks and material that otherwise exposes members of the Tiger community to public scorn, embarrassment or ridicule. Not all of the letters will be published; letters are published at the discretion of the editors, with input from the staff’s adviser, based on the above-stated principles and on individual circumstances. Staff members will attempt to post acceptable material in a timely manner; however, school schedules and other factors may delay postings. The Tiger Print staff strongly encourages posters of feedback to use their real names, however staff members generally do not have the resources to verify the identities of people submitting feedback. Letter writers who do not complete all fields on the feedback form should expect that their comments may not be published. The Tiger Print staff reserves the right to track IP addresses of people posting comments. The Tiger Print staff reserves the right to change this policy, its impact on all entries in our feedback database, and treatment of any individual piece of feedback without notice. Your age is collected to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act; per this law, only submissions from visitors over 13 years of age may be publicly posted. By submitting a comment you are stating that you are at least 13 years of age. The Tiger Print is not liable for dishonesty supplying this information.

Testing finds unsafe chemicals in common makeup products

bvtigernews — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:11:33 +0000

It's a standard part of many girls' morning routine. But according to recent research, there may be more in your Maybelline than you bargained for. In a 2007 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics study, 33 popular brands of lipsticks were tested for carcinogens. Of those 33, 61% contained amounts of lead that surpassed the Food and Drug Adminitration's set limit for candy. Because the FDA does not set standards for lipsticks, the study had to use candy as a measurement. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reports that in a 2009 follow-up study done by the FDA, the amount of lead discovered in lipstick was four time higher than what was originally discovered in the initial study. Facial products: Some lip balms, foundations, lotions and shampoos produced by Almay, Neutrogena and others contain either known or probable carcinogens, as ruled by the government. Hair dye: 71 hair dye products contain carcinogenic coal tar derivatives, including hair dyes from Clairol, Loreal and Revlon. The FDA has advised reducing exposure to carcinogenic coal tar, to "reduce the risk of cancer."

Consumers should be aware of misleading nutrition labels

bvtigernews — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:12:58 +0000

Beware: Companies use misleading phrases like "fat-free" or "whole-wheat" to confuse their consumers and contort their products. To truly know what's in that conveniently packaged snack, take a look at the nutrition label. Pay attention to: Serving Size: Ask yourself if this is the right serving for you. A healthy portion, such as that of pasta or mashed potatoes, should only be the size of your fist. Calories: Does the amount of calories fit into your daily recommended intake? An average person should only consume 1,500 to 2,000 calories a day. Fat: Look for no more than three grams for every 100 calories. Sodium: A healthy diet only includes 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams per day. Fiber: Look for grains or cereals with at least three grams per serving. Sneaky phrases food companies use to trick unsuspecting buyers: “Made with whole grains” If a product says it has five grams of whole grain, its expected to be high in fiber. However, that's not always the case. Five grams of whole grain are one-sixth of an ounce of whole-wheat flour, which essentially has no fiber. Whole grains can be healthy, but they need to have at least three grams of fiber to have any nutritional benefits. “Calorie free food” Any product that has less than 5 calories for the stated serving size can be listed as zero. Even if the product is labeled as zero calories, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is a calorie-free food. “Baked” This word does not always mean low-fat. Baking versus frying usually means a lower calorie food, not less fat. Common mistakes made by consumers: 1.Food companies are allowed to list zero grams of trans fat if the amount is less than .5 grams. The only way to tell if an item is truly trans fat free is to look at the ingredients list. If any of the ingredients are hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, trans fat is present. 2.To know whether something is 100 percent whole wheat, check the ingredient list. If the first ingredient says is not whole wheat flour, then the product is not 100 percent whole-wheat.

Students can take simple steps to help combat winter sickness

bvtigernews — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:14:19 +0000

It's easy to forget the small things that can keep us healthy during the ensuing cold and flu season. Here are the easiest (and most obvious!) ways to combat illness: 1. Wash your hands. If its been said once, its been said a million times. Hundreds of students touch the same door handles and keyboards everyday. Hundreds of students also cough and sneeze into their hands, spreading germs upon whatever they touch. Do yourself and your friends a favor and keep your hands clean. There is no such thing as washing your hands too many times or using too much hand sanitizer. 2. Don't share water bottles. Sharing drinks is the most common way for viruses to be spread. The cold virus is quickly spread through saliva, so when someone asks for a quick sip, politely point them in the way of the water fountain. 3. Cough into your inner elbow. No one wants to be hacked on while making his or her way to fourth hour. If you need to cough, cough into the inner part of your elbow. This prevents your germs from flying aimlessly on to the innocent students around you. 4. Eat the right food. Foods in Vitamins A, B, C, and E boost your body's immune system, making you less susceptible to the viruses that run rampant through the halls. Choose fruits and vegetables that are brightly colored, such as oranges, sweet potatoes, and pink grapefruit. These are all high in the disease-fighting vitamins your body needs to stay healthy. 5. If you're sick, STAY HOME. It's difficult to miss a day of school when you know there's an AP Bio test you have to take, spanish conjugations you have to learn and an Honors CA class you can't miss. However, when you come to school sick, you don't do anyone good. You infect your friends and teachers and you make yourself worse. Your immune system needs rest and fluids when you're sick, so be smart and stay in bed.

FEA holds clothing drive through November

bvtigernews — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:57:42 +0000

Future Educators of America is sponsoring a warm clothing drive through Nov. 24. There will be collection bins in the senior hallway, by the office, and in the commons. FEA is accepting scarves, gloves, hats, coats and pants. All donations must be new or gently worn. by Jacob Pruitt.

Dodgeball tournament fundraiser cancelled

bvtigernews — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:40:58 +0000

The Patches O'Houlihan Memorial Dodgeball tournament, sponsored by Chris Riffer and the debate team, has been canceled. The tournament was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, and Tuesday, Nov. 10. Only three teams of five people were signed up for the tournament. The debate team chose to discontinue the fundraiser because they did not meet their minimum requirement of five teams. Every player will receive a full refund of their money. By Jacob Pruitt

Musical auditions scheduled for next week

bvtigernews — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:20:49 +0000

Auditions for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat are next week. Singing auditions will be Monday Nov. 16 and Tuesday Nov. 17. Students must pick up the sheet music for auditions from Marsha Moeller. The dance auditions are Wednesday Nov. 18. The students will learn a dance piece from the choreographer and perform it in groups. Each student will audition on their own and sing 16-20 measures of the chosen song from the show. All students are welcome to audition. The sign-up sheet is located by the back doors of the Performing Arts Center. Call backs are Thursday Nov. 20. There is an informational meeting tonight at 7 p.m., for parents of students auditioning. Students are also needed to play in the orchestral pit. "It's going to be a musical extravaganza - you won't want to miss it," Moeller said. Carlee Ray

Club plans 'sleep in a box' activity, raises poverty awareness

bvtigernews — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:43:07 +0000

On Friday, Nov. 20, a group of Clubs for Change members will camp in cardboard boxes in front of the school from 3 p.m. until 12 a.m. The members hope this event will raise awareness for homelessness and poverty in our area. In addition to the "sleep in a box" activity, Clubs for Change is also holding a raffle, with prizes provided by several local businesses. All the proceeds will be given to the Johnson County Multi-Service Center. This center helps the homeless and struggling with poverty in Johnson County get the help they need. By Jane Webb

Blue Valley Frosh Football Team Finishes Season Undefeated,9-0

bvtigernews — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:25:01 +0000

Blue Valley Freshman Football Team Finishes Season Undefeated with a 9-0 record.

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Blue Valley High Extends Season By Beating Shawnee Mission West In Playoff

bvtigernews — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:53:59 +0000

Blue Valley High Extends Season by Beating Shawnee Mission West in Playoffs

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Tiger Band Takes Road Trip to St. Louis

bvtigernews — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:03:28 +0000

Tiger Band Takes Road Trip To St. Louis.

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Chess club experiences success at tournament

bvtigernews — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:31:50 +0000

BV took third place overall at the annual Blue Valley Chess Classic on Saturday Nov. 7. More than one hundred chess players competed in the tournament ranging in three categories: K-3, K-6, and K-12. Senior Henry Chan placed 19th, sophomore Spencer Ho placed 21st, and junior Jennifer Lester placed 25th. Also competing in the competition were BV students junior Jesse Hartl, senior Brady Jerome, and sophomores Matt Coole and Carlos Cheung. Supervisor Richard Gill said the club is working hard to get better each practice and hopes that will carry over to the competitions. "We're at the point where we've got people winning three games," Gill said. "We just need to get to the point where they're winning four." By Rachel McCullough

Baseball Signing

bvtigernews — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:22:58 +0000

On Friday, Nov. 13, seniors Ryne Stanek, Kyle Brady and Taylor Drake pose with their parents while signing to play college baseball.

Players sign to play college baseball

bvtigernews — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:23:26 +0000

On Friday Nov. 13, seniors Ryne Stanek, Kyle Brady and Taylor Drake pose with their parents while signing to play college baseball. Stanek signed with the University of Arkansas, Drake with McNeese State University and Brady with Northwest Missouri State University. Photo by Haley Hickman.

Journalism students receive honors in 7 categories; Tiger Print takes 9th in Best of Show at national convention

bvtigernews — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:58:02 +0000

Ten BV journalism students attended the National Fall High School Journalism Convention in Washington, D.C., from Nov. 10-15, with seven of them receiving honors in JEA Write-Off Contests. The Tiger Print was a finalist for the Pacemaker Award, and received 9th place in the Best in Show contest. Three newspaper staff members received awards at the convention: junior Connor Cape with an Excellent rating in Feature Writing, junior Ryan O' Toole with an Excellent rating in Sports Writing and senior Tori Freisner with an Excellent rating in Review Writing. Four yearbook staff members received awards: junior Gretchen Hess with an Excellent rating in Sports Writing, senior Sarah Clancey with a Superior rating in Yearbook Academics Writing, sophomore Megan Kuharich with an Excellent rating in Clubs Writing and sophomore Jen Kranjec with an Excellent rating in Student Life Writing. By Matthew Gruber

Sarah Demeo

bvtigernews — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:41:42 +0000

Senior signs with Alabama

bvtigernews — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:43:09 +0000

Senior Sarah DeMeo gathered with her friends and family on Monday, Nov. 16, in the senior lunchroom to sign with the University of Alabama for gymnastics. DeMeo will compete one more season with the Eagles gymnastics team before her freshman year of college. DeMeo said she thinks Alabama is the right fit for her. "It's in the Southeastern Conference," she said. "It's most competitive, and I'm already friends with girls on the team; the coaches are welcoming and like family." By Carlee Ray

My Voice: Royals fan thrilled with Greinke's AL Cy Young

bvtigernews — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:14:44 +0000

Tuesday was a highlight for Kansas City Royals fans, who proudly stand behind Zack Grienke as the AL Cy Young recipient. While it may seem like we're light years away from winning a World Series, or even a pennant for that matter, we can at least say we have one legitimate, superstar player. Greinke doesn't enjoy being the center of attention and didn't seem as ecstatic as others when nominated for the Cy Young. That's just Greinke's personality. He's not being a jerk, he's just being himself. I have a lot of respect for him and it doesn't bother me a bit that he doesn't enjoy the spotlight. We could use more players like Greinke in Kansas City. Unfortunately, we're not the Yankees and we don't have all the prominent names and faces. This town could use, and deserves, some more names without the bold personalities. To me, Greinke is a perfect example of how you can demonstrate leadership through your actions, without being the most vocal player on the field. Baseball is the "thinking man's game" and Greinke phenomenally portrays this day in and day out on the mound. He wasn't always as mentally sound as he is now. He went through a lot to get where he is today, battling through anxiety issues and depression. While he may have improved physically as a player since he took his time away from baseball a few years back, his new mental edge makes him a Cy Young winner. While Greinke only pitches once every five games or so, you can see his desire to be on a winning team. Let's face it, watching the other Royals players isn't too much fun on a regular basis, whether you're sitting in the dugout or bleachers. The disappointment is the same. It'd be a lot more fun for Greinke, and the fans, if we were in the pennant race. “I don’t want to pitch for New York in the playoffs," Greinke told the Kansas City Star. "I want to pitch for Kansas City in the playoffs. It would definitely be a lot better being in the playoffs than not. That’s all you ever play for.” As a true Royals fan, I was so glad to hear this. Plus, if we won about half our games or more we'd be a lot more likely to have a shot at keeping key players. We could have Jermaine Dye, Raul Ibanez, Carlos Beltran and Johnny Damon in our outfield, three of whom have been on World Championship teams within the past five years. Instead we traded or let them leave Kansas City. Let's hope this time we can keep Greinke and develop the franchise player that we've been lacking since Mike Sweeney. However, its not fair to expect Greinke to stick around for 12 years like Tony Gonzalez did with the Chiefs before he moved on. Greinke deserves a playoff-caliber team. The Royals need to keep developing franchise players like Greinke and Billy Butler and keep them signed. This way, we're still playing in October instead of looking at the standings column tied for last in the division. Maybe, just maybe, three years from now when Kansas City hosts the All-Star game in 2012, we'll have several players representing the Royals, and a team that's closer to being in mix of the pennant race. By Matthew Gruber

Clubs for Change Raffle

bvtigernews — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:46:32 +0000

Juniors Nicole Hayworth and Mariah Davis enter raffle tickets. Tickets could be purchased by donation. The funds will benefit local homeless shelters.

Clubs for Change holds raffle in cafeteria to raise money for homeless

bvtigernews — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:49:01 +0000

Photo by Emma Mosier. Everyday at lunch this week, Clubs for Change will be raffling off items to help fight homelessness and poverty in Johnson County. Suggested donations are $1 for one ticket, $2 for three tickets and $3 for five tickets. The raffle prizes are from Buffalo Wild Wings, Vera Bradley, Starbucks, Robeks, Chick-fil-a, Ice at Park Place and a football signed by Will Shields. "We don't have a set goal of how much money we want to raise," Clubs for Change representative, freshman Parker Gordon said. "We haven't raised that much, but really any amount will help." by Jordan McEntee.

Tigers fall to Olathe North in final seconds of sub-state game

bvtigernews — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:32:08 +0000

Senior Anthony Abenoja sits on the ground after Friday's sub-state loss to North. Photo by Jackie Lippert. With 14 seconds left in the game, the Blue Valley sideline was silent. The team, locked in arms and kneeling, knew this was the defining play. They were up 14-13, but the Olathe North Eagles were preparing to kick the game-winning field goal. This once 1-6 team could almost taste victory. Heartbreak. The ball sailed through the posts, ending the Tigers' Cinderella story. North added another victory to their undefeated season with a score of 16-14. The game started off in the Tigers' favor. After the Tigers recovered a botched punt return with 4:35 left in the first quarter, momentum was in full force. The team scored on a pass from senior Anthony Abenoja to junior Jacob McDermott, putting them up 7-0. The Eagles didn't take much time to add some points to the board, scoring early in the second quarter. With good defense from both teams, the score remained tied 7-7 at halftime. With 30 seconds left in the third quarter, BV recovered an Eagles' fumble that led to a score on a pass from Abenoja to junior Paul DeBey Jr. Tigers were up 14-7. With the Eagles back in scoring territory, BV stopped them on fourth down but a penalty gave it back to the Eagles with a first down. North scored but missed the extra point attempt leaving BV ahead 14-13. After a three and out by the Tigers, North was given the ball with 3:11 left in the game. After the game-winning field goal was kicked, the Tigers were given ten seconds but could not come up with any points. Final score: North wins 16-14. by Stephanie Roche.

Abenoja State

bvtigernews — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:32:10 +0000

Senior Anthony Abenoja sits on the ground after Friday's sub-state loss to North.

Abenoja State

bvtigernews — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:34:57 +0000

Senior Anthony Abenoja sits on the ground after Friday's sub-state loss to North.

Concerts scheduled for next week

bvtigernews — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:50:30 +0000

Orchestra and concert bands will have performances next week. Band performs Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Orchestra performs Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The orchestra concert also features students from Prairie Star and Blue Valley Middle Schools accompanying them. Both concerts are in the PAC. By Maegan Kabel

Relay for Life update

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:57:08 +0000

The Relay for Life Committee is in the midst of planning the all-night event, scheduled for March 26-27. Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society, strives to remember loved ones lost to cancer and raise awareness within the community. This year, the committee hopes Relay can raise $30,000. "Relay for Life is a great way for people of all different backgrounds to get together to celebrate for a good cause," event chair Monica Roy Chowdhury said. Those invovled in Relay for Life, both team captains and members, must turn in all registration forms by Jan. 29 to Roy Chowdhury or the event underchairs junior Ryan Jaspal and senior Erin Pham. The Relay Committee is offering incentives for the teams that turn in all forms and money before the deadline. Important Bank Nights for this year's event: Jan. 13 Feb. 17 March 10 by Allison Kohn

FEA Loose Change Drive

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:58:51 +0000

Future Educators of America(FEA) is sponsoring 'Loose Change to Loosen Chains'. During the month of January, students can collect their loose change and bring it in. It will be sent to International Justice Missions, where it will be used to save slaves from all over the world. The club will also be selling shirts and bracelets to benefit this organization. This is a class competition, so the grade that brings in the most change will be awarded spirit points. by Maegan Kabel

Della Lamb toy drive continues through Dec. 9

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:01:31 +0000

The football team will start collecting presents for the Della Lamb Charter School. The Della Lamb elementary school is located in the Kansas City area and seeks to educate low-income, at risk, and disadvantaged children. Contributors will receive one hour of community service for each present brought in but only up to four hours of community service will be given. They are looking for new, non-violent gifts with no batteries and the minimum price range is $10. Toys can be brought into the library, Room 508, or the coaches’ office. The collection will end on Wednesday, Dec. 9. This toy collection started nine years ago because of a message said on the radio. "When we heard that some kids would not have Christmas, that touched our hearts," football coach Steve Rampy said. "We just could not fathom this." All donations are welcome and will be displayed in front of the library. by Emily Brown

Girls basketball team takes win over Olathe East

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:26:43 +0000

The girls basketball team uprooted a strong Olathe East team 50-38 Thurs. night in front of a packed house in the BV gym. With several minutes played at a 10-point deficit, the team found consistency in their shots and defense before getting the win. Senior Lauren Wormington held the spotlight on the night after draining numerous three-pointers to help anchor the team's second half comeback. Coach Andy Unrien believes that the team struggled in the first half, but showed their true potential as the game went on. "I thought that the second half was really indicative of what we can do as a team," he said. "We started to get great pressure on defense and we got more energy." After asking for a large crowd in the Winter Activities assembly, the student body responded by packing the student section with many in costume for "Lifeguard Night". Unrien is greatly appreciative of the fans' role in the win. "It was huge once we got into that run," he said. "[Olathe East] really wasn't expecting it. It really knocked them on their heels." The team will play at the Olathe South Invitational on Tuesday. by AJ Barbosa

Taylor Popp Tip Off

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:37:40 +0000

Taylor Popp fights for the tip off at the basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 3 against Olathe East.

Taylor Pop Tip Off

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:39:13 +0000

Taylor Popp fights for the tip off at the basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 3 against Olathe East.

Photo: Girl's Basketball

bvtigernews — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:40:17 +0000

Photo by Jackie Lippert. Taylor Popp fights for the tip off at the basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 3 against Olathe East.

Power outage cuts school day short

bvtigernews — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:19:12 +0000

Photo by Jill Chittum. Due to an electricity shortage, school was released early. Power went out in the middle of second hour and had not been restored. At 9:33 on Monday morning the administrators sent out an email informing parents about the power outage. They were working with KCPL to figure out the problem. We will send out an update when more information is made available. by Stephanie Roche

Lights Out

bvtigernews — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:23:49 +0000

Senior Stephanie Roche works in the newspaper room during Monday's power outage. Photo by Jill Chittum.

Tiger Wood's personal life doesn't affect his athleticism

bvtigernews — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:27:50 +0000

So. He's the best golfer we're likely to ever see. He's provided some of the most exhilarating sports moments with those long-range putts followed by those signature fist pumps. Within the past few weeks he's crashed his car into a fire hydrant in the wee hours of the morning and supposedly cheated on his wife. I went to buy some bread for my mom at Price Chopper last night, and nearly every magazine on the shelf had a picture of him and numerous negative allegations. Upon watching Sportscenter this morning, I found out that Gatorade is pulling their Tiger line of sports drinks. Even though the company says that the decision was made before the incidents, it seems strange that the announcement would be made only a few weeks after. You'd think he shot someone. Let's sit back and look at this from a rational point of view. The guy gets into his SUV a few hours after Thanksgiving and drives it a short distance before hitting a fire hydrant. The details are fuzzy, but several of his neighbors testified they saw Woods on the ground, unconscious. They soon phoned authorities. Woods' wife, Elin, then proceeded to bash out the back window of the SUV with one of Woods' irons, and waited with her husband until the paramedics arrived. It's embarassing to say, but I have personally introduced my car to a fire hydrant before. I hit it at about 35 miles an hour, topped it and completely removed it from its base. I drive a small sedan, and I was more than fine. I hit the sucker head on too. I am a bit curious as to how Woods sustained the injuries that he allegedly did, provided he was driving a large car, hit the hydrant at low speed, and at an angle. Who knows, maybe something happened to him in the car that didn't happen to me. He's been vague about the details of the accident so it's hard to tell if we'll ever know. So immediately, the sick excuses for reporters at TMZ and other shock-and-awe sources tied in the allegations of Woods' infidelity into the accident. The dim lightbulb must have clicked on above their heads, screaming 'Forget the likelihood that he was just going for a drive, possibly to pick up some food or something else, he had to have been drunk, and he had to have been going to cheat!' Are you kidding me? So suppose he did do it. Suppose he sits down on 60 Minutes and tearfully confesses to cheating on his bombshell wife. The tabloid world will tear him a new one, and he'll never hear the end of it. Dumb parents will cease buying his video game, feminist protesters will flock to the outskirts of golf tournaments and everyone will see him as the villain. But you're forgetting something. He's still the best golfer in the world. Former New York Giant Plaxico Burress carried an unlicensed gun into a nightclub FULL of people and accidentally shot himself in the leg. Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been accused of beating his ex-girlfriend for years. She has proof to back her case up as well. Shoot, former Chief Jared Allen got a DUI right in front of the Chick-Fil-A on 135th street two years ago. The story was all over the Kansas City Star and all the local news channels. With the exception of Burress, whose endorsement deals were revoked, the sports community has seemed to forgive and forget the issues Marshall and Allen have. They still continued to play every Sunday. Yet, Tiger Woods drives into a fire hydrant and supposedly cheats on his wife, and the world is in an uproar. When the nation turns on the television to watch Tiger Woods, they aren't watching him at home with his wife or seeing him drive his luxury SUV. They're watching him play golf. The outside world doesn't matter during those tournaments, which is why I'm appalled to see that Gatorade is pulling his line of drinks right after these incidents. Michael Jordan didn't get his drinks yanked after he embarassed the basketball world by demoralizing his former teammates and competitors at his induction into the Hall of Fame earlier this year. I watched that on my living room couch. I couldn't have watched Woods cheat on his wife from there, because it's a private matter. That's the way it should stay. Scarring Woods' reputation with these pointless stories only hinders the stellar credibility of ESPN. They are well-known for being the pound-for-pound best in sports coverage, and they're ruining that by running stories about what Woods does with his own free time. He wasn't hurt in the crash and he can still golf. That's where it should end for them. America looks up to him as a golfer and a hard-worker, and he still is both. Give the accusations a rest, justice will serve itself. For now, just let him continue playing the game. by AJ Barbosa

Tigers take DeSoto game 57-47, "cheer-off" surprises fans

bvtigernews — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:31:45 +0000

The BV varsity boys basketball team defeated the DeSoto Wildcats 57-47 Friday night. Fans supported the team by dressing in pirate attire. The BV starters were juniors Hayden Murray, Steven Stinson, Alex Newell and Paul DeBey Jr. and senior Anthony Abenoja. The first quarter ended with a 10-10 tie after senior Connor Janes made a three-pointer with less than a minute left. The Tigers led at the half, up 26-15. BV came out strong in the second half, leading 43-26 at the end of the third quarter. Before the start of the fourth quarter, a "cheer-off" occurred between BV cheerleader, junior Sarah Leslie and one of the DeSoto cheerleaders. This caused chanting and excitement from both team's fans. by Jordan McEntee

Blue Valley Shootout championship game statistics

bvtigernews — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:26:34 +0000

The boys varsity basketball team lost to Sumner Academy Saturday night 59-44. The Tigers took seccond place in the tournament. The team's leading scorers were: Junior Alex Newell: 11 Junior Hayden Murray: 7 Senior Connor Janes: 7 Junior Paul DeBey Jr.: 6

After 25 years as BV head coach, Steve Rampy accepts Pittsburg State job

bvtigernews — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:17:13 +0000

Head football Coach Steve Rampy announced today that he will not return to coach and teach at Blue Valley next semester. Instead, he will be the offensive coordinator at Pittsburg State University next year. Rampy completed 25 years as the team's head coach, and was an assistant coach for four years prior. "I'm very excited for Coach Rampy," Athletic Director Bob Whitehead said. "I've worked with him for a long time, and I'm sad to see him leave. I have mixed emotions." Whitehead said he believes Rampy will be successful in his new position because he can recruit the Kansas City area well and has experience running a spread offense. "He could pick up the phone and call a hundred coaches right now," Whitehead said. "He's a good recruiter." He added that despite the big change for the football team, preparation for next season will continue as scheduled. "On January 5 we are going to be doing weights," Whitehead said. "Our goal is to win the state championship. That won't change." The school district and Principal Scott Bacon have not yet determined who will fill Rampy's position as a teacher next semester. by Caitlin Holland

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BVSW names new staff members

bvtigernews — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:16:05 +0000

Ten new members have been named to the Blue Valley Southwest staff for the 2010-2011 school year. Four of the staff members were also named to coaching positions. Jill Blackmon has been confirmed as the bookkeeper for the Timberwolves. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in Accounting and is looking forward to opening a new school. Heather Lawrenz, a graduate of the University of Kansas and Emporia State University, will be the new journalism teacher, newspaper and yearbook adviser. Lawrenz formerly worked at Lawrence High School, where the newspaper and yearbook won numerous awards under her instruction. She is excited to begin the journalism program at Southwest. "It's the chance to be involved with Volume One [of the yearbook], and to get to name a newspaper, name a yearbook," Lawrenz said. Stacey McVey, who will be the registrar for BVSW, worked as a Systems Analyst for almost 20 years and was, most recently, the library para for Sunset Ridge Elementary. She will be in charge of registration, enrollment, maintaining school records and sending senior's transcripts to colleges. "I am most looking forward to meeting and working with the students," she said. "I think it will be a lot of fun to be a Timberwolf." Susan Scheibler, who has worked in the Blue Valley district for 10 years, is the new Performing Arts Chair and Choral Music Director. She taught musical education for more than 25 years at various levels: preschool music, elementary music, middle school choir and band, high school choir and band and college choir. Shawn Stelter, the Visual Arts Chair, has worked in the district since 1997. She graduated from Iowa State University and the University of Saint Mary. She is excited about the "new-ness" of the school. "Think of all of the blank canvases," she said. "The blank walls, and all of the art we get to create for them. That is the best. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Marshall Thompson will be the new Campus Police Officer. He said that this job will be different, because ordinarily, when you start a job, you're the new guy. At Southwest, everyone is "the new guy." "The most special thing, though, is the enthusiasm," he said. "The staff is all incredibly enthusiastic, which will spill over to the parents, which will then hopefully spill over to the students." Four coaches were hired as well. Scott Dowis, who will also be a business teacher, is the head volleyball coach for next year. He has coached at Avila University, Shawnee Mission East and for the MAVS club volleyball program. He currently teaches at Shawnee Mission East as a Personal Finance, Business Law and Computer Applications teacher. He is looking forward to this experience with a small sense of déjà vu. "It's a unique situation, opening a new school, but I was also a part of a new school," he said. "I was in the first class to go all the way through the school, and there was just so much excitement involved. So, in general, I'm excited to be a part of it." Rick Rhoades is the girls basketball coach. Rhoades, who is currently the girls basketball coach at Shawnee Mission East, will also teach P.E. at Southwest. Bill Lowe will be the football coach. He will also teach P.E. Lowe attended the original Blue Valley High School. He currently works for Emporia High School, where he teaches Strength and Power Training and led their football season to an 8-3 record. "I'm coming home," he said. "It's always been a goal of mine to come back here and coach. I'm ready to come here and start a program from the ground up, a program that hasn't had any previous influence." Jason Pendleton, a graduate of Emporia State University, currently teaches American history, African-American history and Government at Lawrence Free State High School. He is going to be the Timberwolf boys and girls head soccer coach. Last season, he led the boys Free State soccer team to second place at 6A state. by Annie Burress

New school determines senior class size

bvtigernews — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:20:32 +0000

The senior class at Blue Valley Southwest will be comprised of about 45 students. BVSW principal Scott Roberts is happy with the numbers. "It is a smaller number than we thought it would be," he said. "But I think this testifies to what we do at the high school level. People are hesitant to leave their school because they're connected to the school: they're connected to teachers, they're connected to programs and they're connected to sports and coaches, which is exactly what we want to have happen. So, by such a small senior class, this shows that what is happening at West and High is working. This senior class is going to be a trailblazing class." The deadline for senior option declaration and transfers to BVSW was Jan. 6. Construction at the school is on schedule. "We're about 70 percent done," Roberts said. "The classrooms, the gym, the fields, the parking lot - they're all looking great." There are also 932 parking spaces available for next year, so there is currently no plan for assigned parking. "I know what a nightmare high school parking lots can be," Roberts said. "I was in charge of sophomore parking at Blue Valley for two years. The Southwest parking lot will be nothing like that. We will probably only have about 400 driving students, and with 932 parking spots, students will come in and park without a problem." by Annie Burress

Fifthwall Comedy Troop performing tonight

bvtigernews — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:37:25 +0000

Blue Valley's own improvisation group, Fifthwall Comedy Troupe, performs its first 2010 show today at 7:00 in the PAC with doors opening at 6:45. There is no entry fee but the group encourages donations to the American Cancer Society. The group originally started by former BV student Alex Nichols is now led by junior Joseph Davies. Tonight's show will be strictly improvisation so the performers will have no preparation time for their skits. "Every scene we create is based on audience suggestion, so everything must be made up on the spot," Davies said. The comedy troupe decided to donate to the American Cancer Society in order to raise enough money to participate in the event. "The Fifthwall Comedy Troupe is almost always invited by the Relay for Life committee to perform at the actual event, so we just decided to form a team for Relay this year," Davies said. "The money is just something all teams need to raise, so we just do it improv style."

by Haley Schroer

Students must enroll by January 20th

bvtigernews — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:41:07 +0000

The enrollment window for next year is now open and students have until the 20th to complete enrollment. Go to the district website (www.bluevalleyk12schools.org) and click on the Esis button. Follow instructions written on the enrollment sheet given to students on the first day back from school. All students must end up with 14 classes listed and four alternates. The online enrollment system will not allow anyone to continue if these requirements are not met. If students do not meet the enrollment deadline, elective classes may become full. If students have questions over which classes would be best for them, they can make an appointment with a counselor or ask their teachers which classes they should continue to. by Haley Schroer

Senior announced as semi-finalist in Intel Science Talent Search

bvtigernews — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:54:24 +0000

On January 13, the 300 semi-finalists of the 2010 Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS) were announced and BV senior Monica Roy Chowdhury was among those names. She is the only semi-finalist from the state of Kansas. Each semifinalist and their school will receive $1,000. Every year, around 1,600 high school students in the U.S. enter the Intel STS with original science projects. Chowdhury's project was "Nanotechnology Based Anti-Cancer Drug Therapy for Targeting Uveal Melanoma Cells in Retinoblastoma." The Intel Science Talent Search brings together 40 of the most intelligent young minds in America to compete for $1.25 million in scholarships and awards. The grand-prize winner of the Intel STS is awarded a $100,000 four-year scholarship. The second-place winner receives $75,000, and the third-place winner gets $50,000. Fourth through sixth place winners each receive $25,000 and seventh through tenth place winners each receive $20,000. The 40 Finalists of the 2010 Intel STS will be announced at 4 p.m. on January 27. by Jordan McEntee

Ali Kemp fashion show proves to be successful

bvtigernews — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:38:39 +0000

[caption id="attachment_455" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Seniors Natalie Schaefer and Jacob Taylor strut their stuff on the Ali Kemp fashion show runway. Photo by Callie Ronan. "]Junior Rachael Mendez participates in an Ali Kemp self-defense class. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

[/caption] Part of the crew from Blue Valley that participated in the show. Photo by Callie Ronan.

Ali's Runway, the fashion show sponsored by the TAKE Foundation, was Jan. 17 at the Overland Park Trade Center. The TAKE Foundation was created in honor of Ali Kemp. This yearly event began with a runway fashion show featuring local high school students. Following the fashion show, girls age 12 and up participated in a self defense class. Originally started as a senior project, almost 100 schools participated in the show. This year the dresses were designed by Alfred Angelo and Nikki Designs, and supplied by the store Natalie M. by Haley Schroer

Six BV students qualify for All-state band

bvtigernews — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:48:32 +0000

Blue Valley band sophomores Bryan Wallraff, Stephen Hennerberg and Matt Cooper and seniors Ryan Cauffield, Abby Douglas and Ben Cooper qualified to play in the All-state band. Hennerberg, Ben and Matt play trombone. Wallraff plays bassoon, Cauffield plays tuba and Douglas plays clarinet. "It felt really good," Matt said. "There's a lot of good people in the state of Kansas." The students perform in Wichita Feb. 25-27. by Maegan Kabel

Rachael Mendez Ali Kemp

bvtigernews — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:48:33 +0000

Ali Kemp Show

bvtigernews — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:53:50 +0000

Blue Valley Participants

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:00:22 +0000

Ali Kemp Show

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:05:02 +0000

Ali Kemp Self-defense

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:06:14 +0000

Ali Kemp Self-defense

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:08:18 +0000

Choir

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:12:02 +0000

Dance

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:13:31 +0000

Yanjie Yu

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:17:05 +0000

Xpressions

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:18:17 +0000

IMG_3866

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:21:07 +0000

Xpressions

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:21:11 +0000

Schlagle Band

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:22:09 +0000

Celebrating diversity

bvtigernews — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:25:13 +0000

[caption id="attachment_471" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The Chambers choir group performed the National Anthem at the start of the assembly."]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_482" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Seniors Monica Roy Chowdhury and Allison Kohn (along with Kaitlin Long, Jaclyn Callison and Jessica Mussatto, not pictured) perform a traditional dance choreographed by Roy Chowdhury."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_473" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Senior Yanjie Yu performs a piece during the assembly on violin."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_476" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="A student from Blue Valley North's step team, "Xpressions" shouts to the audience during their performance."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_483" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The Schlagle Marching band from Kansas City, Kan. closed out the show. Their performance was the highlight of the assembly. All photos by Jackie Lippert."][/caption]

Blue Valley hosts diversity assembly

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:19:25 +0000

Blue Valley High School hosted a diversity assembly Thursday, Jan. 21. [vodpod id=Video.2910631&w=425&h=350&fv=]

more about "Blue Valley High Hosts Diversity Asse...", posted with vodpod

Monica Dance

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:53:07 +0000

Schlagle Band

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:55:47 +0000

Legendary football coach says 'goodbye' to BV

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:41:57 +0000

A once in a life-time opportunity. In 25-year football head coach Steve Rampy’s opinion, that’s what Pittsburg State University offered him at the end of last semester. Rampy is the new Offensive Coordinator for the PSU Gorillas, as well as their future recruiter for the Kansas City area. “I feel rejuvenated,” Rampy said. “It’s a challenge every day, going and learning new things.” He plans to continue to use the same coaching style at PSU that he did at BV—a style he believes provides a challenge to his players and coaches. “I’m a demanding guy,” he said. “I think I demand a lot of effort from kids and a lot of commitment from kids. I have high expectations for all the players and coaches around me, but they’re never higher than what I’m willing to ask from myself.” The reasonable-but-high expectations Rampy had for the athletes at BV will transition to the players at PSU as well. Rampy coached the Tigers to win 5A State Championships in 1991, 1998, 2003 and 2006, as well as four state runner-up finishes. “I’ll never ask my assistants to do something I wasn’t willing to do,” he said. “I’ve never asked a player to do something I wasn’t willing to do. I think that is important.” Athletic Director Bob Whitehead agrees that Rampy’s demanding coaching style helps emphasize strong fundamentals in players, makes athletes work hard during the season and off-season and results in a staff that works together well. Whitehead noted that in the last 15 years the football team had very few coaching position changes. “I have a lot of respect for what he was able to accomplish,” Whitehead said. “He did what every coach wants to do when they start out.” After teaching at BV for 29 years, Rampy still holds true to the fact that the words ‘coach’ and ‘teacher’ go hand in hand. “I’ve always believed, and still do, that good coaches are good teachers first,” he said. Rampy said he doesn’t expect the fundamentals of the BV football program to change even though he is no longer the head coach. “I hope that people will understand, I wasn’t the program, I was only a part of the program,” he said. “There’s no reason for things to change. The goals and expectations we had for ourselves, that stuff should continue. It wasn’t about me, it’s about our community, our players, assistant coaches, everybody. I was just a part of that.” Rampy said whoever will fill the head coaching job needs to balance adding something new to the program with maintaining the tradition of the football team. “[Tradition] is one of the most important things Blue Valley has,” he said. “It’s a special place on Friday nights and whoever the coach is has to embrace that. Don’t shy away from the community because the support in the community is unbelievable.” Whitehead also said the way football brings the entire school together is something unique to Blue Valley. “We feel like this is somewhat a community school,” Whitehead said. “A lot of kids go to the games instead of going to the movies. That doesn’t go on at every school.” Rampy’s sons, BV graduates Zach and Luke Rampy, are very supportive of their dad’s decision to go to Pitt State. “Of all the people involved here, my sons have been the most excited,” he said. “They’re pretty happy for me.” Rampy will coach in games against Emporia State University where his son Luke is a wide receiver. “I’ll want them to do well, but I’ll want our team to win,” he said. “They’re the most important to me, this is just my job.” No matter where Rampy goes from here though, his life will always center around the three factors. “There are three really strong things in my life that I care about: my faith, my family and football,” he said. “This is an opportunity to work on one of the greatest institutions of football there is in the United States, so it was an opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime thing I couldn’t have passed up.” by Caitlin Holland

Substitute to fill Allam's role during maternity leave

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:42:51 +0000

While assistant principal Megan Allam is away on maternity leave, substitute administrator Jan Draper will be in charge of some of Allam’s duties. Along with her previous responsibilities of running the Tardy Tracker and Overtime, Christyn Haberly took over Allam’s full-time position. Draper started her teaching career at Blue Valley High in Communication Arts from 1978-1988 before holding positions at other Blue Valley schools. Draper is in charge of freshmen discipline, senior activities, graduation, Prom, state assessments and community service day. “I’m impressed with the student body so far,” Draper said. “I love being back.” Allam’s return is tentatively scheduled for mid-April. By Maegan Kabel

Snow and cold day specifications

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:43:49 +0000

With the recent severe winter weather, the requirements for a snow day may seem unclear. If there is a chance of bad weather, at 5 a.m. Superintendent Dr. Tom Trigg and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Al Hanna share a conference call with the superintendents of the Olathe and Shawnee Mission districts. According to weather reports, the districts discuss the safety of sending students to school in the severe weather. Hanna said the deciding factors include the ability for buses to pick up students and student driving on icy roads. If the weather inhibits students from arriving safely, school must be cancelled. Although there may not be threatening snow or ice on the ground, the district may decide to call a cold day if the temperature is too low for the buses to start or for students to walk safely to school. Once a consensus is made, the superintendent contacts the major TV stations WDAF-TV, KCTV ,KMBC-TV, KSHB-TV and the radio stations KCUR, KFKF, KBEQ, KMBZ, WDAF. If inclement weather begins during the school day, the district may decide to dismiss early to ensure all staff and students can arrive home safely. If unsure of a school cancelation due to severe weather, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org or call (913)239-4600. By Brice Goldenberg

Twin takedown: Brothers look to improve from varsity freshman season

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:44:10 +0000

When it comes to making a varsity team, it can be a pretty daunting task. Sophomores Logan and Lukas Bjorgo, identical twins, accomplished this mission last year, their first at BV among a very talented pool of athletes. The brothers’ mother, Cynthia Bjorgo, was proud but not too surprised after her sons made varsity their freshman year. “Obviously, I was very proud,” Cynthia said. “I knew if they wanted a spot, they had to be challenged. When they would get challenged I was nervous. I was anxious. I wasn’t surprised that they won because they brought experience to the table.” Whenever the pair wrestled each other in tournaments previous years, bragging rights were the main thing they were wrestling for. “It’s just like a match at home, it’s not very serious,” Lukas said.”Usually the matches are really loud, but whenever it was just me and Logan, it got really quiet because the coaches couldn’t coach either of us.” Logan agreed with how they handle facing each other on the mat after wrestling together for nine years. “Like he said, it’s not very serious,” Logan said. “But you don’t want the other person bragging.” The Bjorgos wrestled in different weight classes their freshman year, with Lukas wrestling a weight class above Logan. Both the Bjorgos made it to Regionals last year and finished with records around .500. The top four placing wrestlers in each weight class went to state. For Logan, it was a great achievement to be a state qualifier after placing third, winning enough matches to travel to Topeka for state during his first year as a high school wrestler at BV. “It’s a lot of pressure to keep it up next year, but just having the experience of state, it’s just good to have,” Logan said. Alongside watching his brother capture the moment was Lukas, who anxiously waited for his match . “Seeing his match before mine, it motivated me to go win my match, so he couldn’t rub it in my face, but it didn’t happen,” Lukas said. Lukas came up short losing in overtime by a takedown — just one point. “Well going into it I knew the other wrestler was really good,” sophomore teammate Kellen Rios said. “Lukas kept up with him pretty well. I think he probably should’ve won that match.” Logan and teammates watched his brother’s hard fought match. “It just made me motivated for my next match to win,” Logan said. “It’s just hard seeing someone on your team lose.” Lukas had a difficult time coping with the hard-fought loss. “It’s undescribable, like you wanted it so bad, but you couldn’t do anything about it. I just had to look ahead to the future and try and get better,” Lukas said. Both Bjorgos have spent time getting ready for this season. Logan said he has worked to improve on takedowns and good head position. Lukas mentioned takedowns as one of his areas to improve as well. “I wasn’t very good at takedowns,” he said. “That’s why I lost my regional match. I’ve gotten better at it.” They both have their goals as well for this season including making it to state and winning there. “Just to work hard, learn from my mistakes, and get better,” Lukas said. Cynthia believes the twins have quite the journey ahead of them. “I think now in high school, on varsity, it’s the best of the best, they’re going to see the best,” Cynthia said. “The competition on varsity is pretty fierce.” by Matthew Gruber

Bill bans texting and calling for young drivers

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:45:20 +0000

The state of Kansas awaits approval of a new bill, with the goal to eliminate the distraction of all drivers. The bill, Kansas House Bill 2132, prohibits text messages while a driver, of any age, is operating a motor vehicle. Any driver who ignores the new bill by reading, writing or sending text messages can be pulled over by law enforcement and be penalized with fines around $60. This bill has not yet been passed through the legislative process and still has a possibility of revisions or failure. As of Jan. 1, the state of Kansas bans all drivers with instructional permits, farm permits or restricted licenses from using cell phones while driving. This includes talking on your phone. Officer Dennis Randall plans to watch students as they enter and leave the school parking lot to see if students have their phones put away. "This law will definitely help out students," Randall said. "Having their phones put away will decrease accidents and mishaps on the roadways." Randall witnesses texting as a problem while out on the roads, but not just from teens. "As an adult, not just a police officer, I see kids and even adults on their cell phones while driving," Randall said. "Teens are more in the picture when it comes to restrictions on phones because of the number of accidents that are caused by using them." While driving, Blue Valley West sophomore Kaitlin Neiger, looked down at her phone for a few moments and rear-ended the car in front of her. Traveling down Metcalf Avenue at 45 mph, Neiger took her eyes off the road to text her mom. Looking up, Neiger realized the car in front of her was only few feet away. She slammed on her brakes, hitting the car. Neiger totaled her sister's car and received a ticket for $130. "If someone needs to text when driving, just simply pull over," Neiger said. "It's not worth it." by Jordan Huesers

2010 Box office preview: This year's highly anticipated movies

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:46:29 +0000

Alice in Wonderland - March 5th Tim Burton adds his own twist to the Disney classic Alice in Wonderland. In this story Alice (Mia Wosikowska) falls back into the hole she visited as a child to complete her true quest — to stop the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and help out her friends in Wonderland. Johnny Depp stars as The Mad Hatter in his seventh collaboration with Burton. Iron Man 2 - May 7th Iron Man 2 continues the story of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a billionaire inventor who created the Iron Man suit to help fight evil in the world. Stark faces pressure from the government, press and public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to give up his inventions, he forges an alliance with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) to help the world against powerful new enemies. Twilight Saga: Eclipse - June 30th This movie is a sure sell-out in theaters as it continues telling the story of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and her conflict of choosing her true love for Edward (Robert Pattinson) or Jacob (Taylor Lautner). She also has to deal with a female vampire Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) who wants revenge on Edward for killing her boyfriend. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 - Nov. 19th As Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) power continues to grow, he now controls the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) decide to follow through and finish Dumbledore’s original plan by finding the rest of the horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. There is little hope for the three as they embark on a journey more extreme than in any other Harry Potter movie. by Chris Roche

Jungle reports slower business second quarter

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:47:26 +0000

The new beverages, promotional posters and free giveaways with certain purchases couldn’t stop the dip in sales during the latter part of first semester at the Jungle. The Jungle has shown signs of improvement early this semester. Senior Jungle employee Emily Minoofar said that the Jungle’s business goes down at times because some students come to school right before the bell. There may not be enough time to make drinks for them before the store shuts down for the day at 7:38 a.m. In-house Marketing teacher Katie Bryant, said that the Jungle still makes a profit. “We’ve been making money, just not really large amounts,” Bryant said. The Jungle included many additions to its menu this year. “We’ve added Kool-Aid and sell it in grape, cherry and tropical punch flavors,” Bryant said. “We also included hot apple cider as a winter seasonal item.” Bryant also said the new beverages brought extra customers while additional flavors of coffee and smoothies keep the regulars coming back for more. “Not everyone is a coffee person,” Bryant said. “Now, we don’t just have coffee and smoothies.” The Jungle will begin offering different variations of hot chocolate, such as mint and peppermint flavors, to try to improve sales and satisfy customers. The student employees work toward designing promotional posters and many other things to improve sales. “We’re really working on marketing to bring sales up,” she said. “We’re continuing to build new student interest.” All of the sales at the Jungle go to a Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) fund where they can access the money to buy new things for the store. “We’ve been saving our money this year and we bought two new coffee makers,” Bryant said. DECA is a marketing organization that teaches students leadership and necessary business skills. It also helps students prepare for successful business-related careers. Minoofar said advertising for the Jungle increased since last year. “It’s really been more professional than last year,” Minoofar said. “More like running a business.” Senior Jungle employee Jillian Berger added that this year at the Jungle more training is involved to do the necessary work. Minoofar and Berger, both second-year staff members, say despite lower sales, the store seems busier. “Last year we were only open second semester, so that’s why it feels that way,” Minoofar said. by James Statham

Chambers seniors seek scholarships for musical theater

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:47:45 +0000

Standing on stage, stricken with professional poise, seniors Hannah Scott and Austin Stang perform at 110 percent, connecting with the audience through every motion they make. Scott and Stang have been members of the Chambers show choir since sophomore year. Both developed a strong passion for singing at a very young age. Dance was a large part of Scott’s life throughout her childhood. She attended a few different dance programs but found a home with Miller-Marley School of Dance and Voice, continuing to dance with that company today. “When I am dancing I can release every type of emotion I have,” Scott said. “When it’s a good day or a bad day I can express how I feel with all my motions.” As for Stang, he started dancing his freshman year when Chambers director Marsha Moeller suggested dance class for him. Scott and Stang agree one of the greatest aspects of Chambers is the positive and fun atmosphere in the classroom. “With the people in the classroom, you just know its going to be fun,” Stang said. Scott enjoys spending time and growing every day with her peers in Chambers. “It is great being able to share your interests with other people,” Scott said. “In high school it’s hard to find people that enjoy what you do, especially when everyone is trying to figure out what they personally love to do.” For Scott, Chambers helped her grow as a person and taught her many qualities that will help with her future career goals. “It has helped me become a better leader and helps me with understanding people and using their different ideas,” Scott said. “Also, Chambers helped my ability to sing and dance at the same time. I have always done them, just not together.” Stang joined Chambers for some experience of the performing world but gained much more. “I benefited in many ways as a performer and as a person with the people I was around every day,” Stang said. Moeller witnesses both Stang’s and Scott’s passion and dedication every day in class. “They model the level of performance that is needed,” Moeller said. “They are both natural leaders and set a very high standard for the classroom.” Both seniors receive a lot of support from friends and their families. “My parents have always helped me with dance and voice lessons,” Stang said. “They always work to make me better than I am now.” Scott appreciates all the love and support given from her family and friends. “My mom has always been my biggest supporter,” Scott said. “She has really just always been the one there. My friends are also great supporters. They come and see my shows.” Oklahoma City University offered Scott a scholarship, which she accepted with plans to major in dance performance. “My future goal is to end up on Broadway, somehow, someway, be living in New York and to become a Rockette,” Scott said. Stang received a scholarship to Wichita State through its musical theater program. However, he still has five more auditions and will later decide where he will be attending. by Jordan Huesers

Further restrictions placed on expenses; students, teachers will likely see a change

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:49:19 +0000

As high schools across Kansas start their second semester, school districts will be looking at a poor financial blueprint for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year. The Blue Valley district, already operating under a budget reduction of $6.25 million put in place last July, will continue to compromise and take necessary actions through the rest of the year and into the 2010-2011 school year. The district asked BVHS to trim its budget by five percent. “We will have to be more frugal about every expense,” principal Scott Bacon said. “We will be watching our paper consumption, the school temperature and our energy usage and taking a second look at how we spend our money. We will all have to be responsible when dealing with the current situation.” Before winter break, Superintendent Dr. Tom Trigg announced via e-mail to all district staff members immediate actions that would be made to ease some of the financial pain. “When deciding cutbacks, it was broad-based,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Al Hanna said. “Everyone will feel pain to some extent.” A district-wide hiring freeze already in effect will include an administrative review of every position before a new employee can be hired. Hanna said custodial crews at many schools will be affected. Because of such a tight budget, no new custodians will be hired and some have already lost their jobs. “It’s possible many positions may go unfilled,” Hanna said. The district also implemented spending constraints for every school. Administrators must closely examine the spending of district money, and only the most vital expenditures will be made. “There will be less money available for teachers and the classroom,” Hanna said. “With continuous cuts, teachers will be making tougher decisions regarding what they can and can’t spend for special projects or other necessities.” Students throughout the district could see significant changes in the coming months, including larger class sizes and less availability for certain classes. Enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year may be difficult because many classes will not be offered as often as before. However, the impact of the budget cuts may be minimal in the lives of BV students. Congratulatory Krispy Kreme donuts, paid for by Pepsi Co. and the Honor Roll magnets, paid for by Community America Bank, will still be among the school’s academic awards. “Our school has a lot of tradition which is a big deal,” Bacon said. “We will be looking outside our own funding and we may need to get creative with our budget.” In 2005, patrons of the district passed a $280 million bond specifically for technology improvements, renovations and the construction of new schools. BV students can thank the bond for the additional classrooms, Fitness Center, renovated lunchroom and administrative offices and new lockers. “The budget cuts have not affected construction or any renovations because of this bond,” Hanna said. “Construction was not impacted and no projects have been halted in the process.” Since 2005, the bond provided funding for the building of Sunrise Point Elementary, Timbercreek Elementary and Blue Valley Southwest. An additional three elementary schools will be built within the next three to five years as well as another middle school and the continued construction of the CAPS building. Hanna said the bond also funded renovations for many of the district schools and a long list of technology purchases. “It is a common misconception that the bond money can be used to increase salaries,” Hanna said. “But that’s not true. The same goes with the funding for Blue Valley Southwest or other renovations. The funding for those came from the bond and cannot be used elsewhere.” Looking at BV’s academic future, certain interventions will also be closely examined. Academics First and PASS could be affected, as well as other tutorial programs. The biggest challenge, Bacon said, is paying the salary for the administrators and teachers to staff those programs. If proposals for the state budget continue to decrease educational funding, sports teams and extracurriculars could take a hit as well, he said. It’s possible many of the sports programs will be reduced to varsity and junior varsity, rather than multiple teams. “It’s important for students to participate in such activities like sports and to be involved in the school, so hopefully our budget wouldn’t take away from that,” Bacon said. As for improvement of the current financial situation, Hanna believes the state’s economy must turn around. “In such a difficult economic time, it will be hard to pass legislation for public school funding,” Hanna said. “It could be a few years before any improvement is seen. We are down so much that it could take awhile. It’s hard to say.” Despite the state-wide budget reductions, Bacon is certain that Blue Valley will maintain a positive atmosphere and continue to provide the best learning experience possible. “We will make every effort to continue and find ways to help our students,” Bacon said. “The learning environment and the students’ success is ultimately what matters most.” by Allison Kohn

New Fox show, Glee, sparks students to form group, perform for audiences

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:49:36 +0000

Glee, the new hit FOX show about a struggling musical performance club, finished its fall season on Dec. 9. However, students don’t need to wait until April to get their Glee fix. Thanks to juniors Kelly Urso and Garrett Woods and senior Dalton Homolka, Blue Valley now has its own Glee Club. In late September, these choir members decided to organize all students interested in Glee Club. “It seemed like it would be fun to do something outside of school and give some kids who aren’t in choir a chance to sing,” Woods said. Junior member Steven Stinson agreed more kids get a chance to sing outside of school. “It’s also fun to get to sing outside of the classroom,” Stinson said. “It’s not for a grade and you get to pick the music.” The club’s first goal was a Christmas performance in December. Members picked songs they wanted to sing and brought their own sheet music. Woods and the other singers worked together to choose people or groups of people (like duos or quartets) to sing certain songs. They rehearsed twice a week as the show neared so all members could attend at least one. It wasn’t easy for Glee to get organized and prepare for a show in barely two months. The club does not have any adult leadership or influence; they function completely independent of the school. “It’s just us,” Woods said. “It is kind of challenging because reading sheet music and picking the parts out is hard. We don’t really have any adult help at all.” However, it helps that Woods likes the challenge of putting the music together and making a performance out of it. Glee performed twice last semester. They held their Christmas show at a member’s church on a snowy night in early December. After much work, stress and nerves the show was successful. “I was really apprehensive about the Christmas show, but it came out really, really good,” Woods said. “It was cool to see what we put together by ourselves as students without any help.” In December, Glee also organized a special performance with a few members at an AIDS house downtown. Senior Jessica Mussatto’s mom volunteers at the house and had Jessica ask Glee to perform a Christmas show for the people living and working in the house. “I think they liked it a lot,” Stinson said. “We got to hang out and talk to people after. It was really fun.” However, the show wasn’t all fun and games; it also had a humbling side. “It was honestly kind of sad,” Stinson said. “I mean, we knew a lot of those people weren’t going to be living for much longer so it was really depressing. But it felt good to be doing things for other people.” Glee is always open to performance requests at any location. However, since most of the group’s members are participating in the musical, the club will not be as active until after the show. Instead they will spend time looking for music and planning for the rest of the year. The founders have many hopes for the second semester of Glee. Students at Blue Valley West started a Glee Club this year as well and Woods hopes to organize a joint show with both clubs. “The club’s anticipated to grow,” Woods said. “So I am hoping at least 20 people for second semester. We also want to put a show together with the West club at the end of the year because that would be big and really cool.” Students are encouraged to join Glee at any time and participation in choir is not necessary. Interested students should talk to Woods or Homolka. by Katie Louis

From the desk to the teacher's lounge: Students in teacher education course get real-life teaching experience

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:18:44 +0000

Senior Jen Timmons walks into the classroom full of kindergartners at Sunrise Point Elementary. She can’t help but smile as the children yell out “Miss Jen.” It makes her feel like she belongs in the classroom and she loves seeing how the kids look up to her. Practicum in Teacher Education I is a class that is open to juniors and seniors and offers a hands-on learning experience for students interested in education careers. “I love it,” Timmons said. “It’s something I would recommend to anyone who is looking at this profession. Everyday is something different and it’s giving us a lot of experience before we try student teaching in college.” Practicum students start off learning about different teaching styles and theories before they are allowed to work in field sites like Sunrise Point, Sunset Ridge, Blue River, Stanley, and others. They get to choose any grade level, school, or teacher they want to work with. “I want to be with younger kids because it fits my personality more,” Timmons said. “I have a lot of energy and it’s easy for me to keep up with the kids. The other thing is that the kids in kindergarten and first grade are excited to come to school. They want to hear what you have to say.” For Timmons, the most difficult part of the program was saying goodbye to her students. “I got to know the kids so well that it’s sad to leave but also it’s a great test on your patience,” she said. “It really does test if you are cut out for the job.” Senior Kassi Kaemmer has worked with fifth grade students and kindergartners at Stanley Elementary as well as eighth grade students at Prairie Star Middle School. “My favorite part about the program is being able to interact with children and see how they act in class,” Kaemmer said. “It’s a lot different watching kids in class than being one of them.” Students make lesson plans, present and teach them to the class and write in daily journals. That is not including the other work they are assigned each week. “There is never a day that we are sitting there twiddling our thumbs,” Timmons said. “Everything we do is completely related to us becoming better teachers.” Practicum Education teacher Donna DeHart believes the class is extremely helpful. “It helps the students understand how they learn, gives them a better appreciation for their teachers, helps them decide if they want to be a teacher or not and therefore, can save them a great deal of money if they decide they don’t want to,” DeHart said. DeHart believes responsibility is definitely a character trait necessary in this program. “Responsibility, is extremely important in this class,” she said. “Students have to leave here and get to their field sites on time.” Despite the hard work, the class has its funny moments, too Kaemmer said. “Last year my class went with the second grade students of Eugene Ware, a Kansas City Elementary school, to the Kansas City Zoo,” she said. “The kids that we got to hang out with were awesome and very energetic. As we were eating, a couple of geese came over and tried to get our food. It was a very intense couple of minutes for us. When the geese attacked us the kids left all their stuff right where it was and ran from the geese. It was definitely the most fun time I have had in Practicum.” There are two levels to this class. Practicum in Teacher Education II, the second level, can be taken by seniors after completing the prerequisite of Practicum in Teacher Education I. “The main difference between the two levels is you have to do more lessons but you get more time at the field sites because you don’t have to learn all the same stuff over,” Timmons said. The Practicum in Teacher Education class is in charge of Future Educators of America (FEA). “It’s a club that is good at setting goals and reaching them,” Timmons said. DeHart thinks that the Practicum class is good practice for student teaching in college. “I’m hearing this from former students; they are a step ahead of the other students in their class,” DeHart said. Timmons believes this experience will be helpful when she tries student teaching in college. “I am learning what type of teacher I am and what I want to be,” she said. “I think that it has raised my responsibility. Up until now everything I have done in the classroom has been for myself, but now it’s for the kids.” by Emily Brown

My Voice: Ringing in the New year: Senior encourages self-evaluation, setting goals for 2010, decade

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:19:34 +0000

A new year, a new you. Who should I be this year? Persona one: Strut, strut, strut. The hallway is my runway. Spectators are all around, with their eyes glued on me. The glamorous lighting is nothing short of spectacular. Show a smile, do a shimmy, turn, turn and smize. Persona two: Pencil? Check. Extra pencil? Check. Peering through my spectacles, I get in a little bit of last minute studying that will really push me toward that A. Oh shoot, did that boy just smile at me? Play it cool. Deep breaths. “Hey.” He likes me. Persona three: “Rahhh rah rah rarrr…” — the noise from my very hip and stellar Bose headphones. Let me check my calendar for the week. Looks like I’m booked every night. So many concerts, so little time. You know what I mean? Man. They’re out of the concert T-shirt I wanted. Oh well, I’m traveling to New York to see them in a month anyway. I can just pick it up then. Maybe a combination of all three? Perfect. Say hello to the new me, 2010: a runway uber-nerd with a love of music. A new year means being able to reinvent yourself, right? Maybe I’m taking the phrase a little too literally. You won’t be seeing me in fashion magazines anytime soon. My motivation for school has dropped during my final semester. And I am merely an average music junkie. A new year doesn’t mean reinventing yourself; however, a new year does give you the perfect opportunity to set new goals. And this year is even greater than the average — you can make goals for the next decade. Don’t worry. I’m not going to pass out a form asking you to write down three goals for education, three goals for your personal life and three other goals. But really, goals aren’t as bad as your elementary teachers made them seem. You’re not going to change over night, but setting goals will help you get to your destination eventually. As I sat filling out scholarship application after scholarship application over my winter break, I decided I needed a goal. At the time I only needed a short term one — finish at least two applications by the time we returned to school. Goal accomplished. My next goal? Decide which college I’m attending by spring break. Those are both short term goals that will add up to helping me reach a long term goal for the future: graduate from a university with a degree in graphic design. Ultimately, I use goals as deadlines to work toward. They help keep me focused on my most important tasks. “A new year, a new you” is not meant to be taken literally. It merely gives you the opportunity to aspire to be better with the help of goals. by Stephanie Roche

Finding the silver lining: Visually-impaired sophomore faces challenges with fresh perspective

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:20:28 +0000

It’s difficult to find a bigger country music fan than sophomore John Hermes. Name any country song and John can tell you not only who sings it, but the album name, the year it was released, track number on the album and key the song is in. But there is one thing John can’t do: he can’t describe from his own visual memory what any of those artists look like. John is visually impaired. When he was born, his doctors pronounced him fit to go home. But his mother, Christine Hermes, and his grandmother noticed that he wasn’t opening his eyes. “It was actually my mother who pulled his eyelids back and realized they weren’t completely formed,” she said. “At first, I thought it was more of a cosmetic issue. And then, when we had his eyes tested, it was ‘blind in both eyes.’” Christine didn’t know much about blindness. “I didn’t know what the journey would be,” she said. “When we told the children, his oldest sister Stasia, who would have been six at the time, said, ‘Wow, my life’s gonna be different.’ That really summed it up. There’s been a lot to learn and we’re still learning.” John attended Stilwell Elementary, but instead of continuing on to Blue Valley Middle School, John’s parents felt the gap was becoming too big between John and the other students. They decided the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) was the best next step for John. “He really needed to be in an environment where a lot of the teachers were blind, all of the students were blind, and he was included, because it was a blind world, if that makes sense,” Christine said. They were right. John felt that KSSB was a good fit for him and he still keeps in contact with his two best friends from KSSB. “It was a great four or five years,” he said. “I learned a lot about being visually impaired. I made a lot of friends and I was in a lot of the school plays. One year we did the play Annie. Our theater teacher thought that I was doing such a good job that she changed the name of the play to Andy and gave me the lead role. It was still the same story.” His parents noticed John’s true happiness at KSSB. “We went down there and John gave us a tour of the campus,” Christine said. “We walked into the library and John said, ‘This is my favorite room because I can read everything in here.’ It was a huge realization for me that all of the years he had been at Stilwell, they only had one or two Braille books on the shelves for him to check out.” The family decided to transfer John back to Blue Valley after seeing that he wasn’t academically challenged enough at KSSB. Now that he’s back, John’s daily routine is similar, if not identical to most students’. He is almost completely independent in the morning while getting ready for school. After school, he does his homework. Homework, he said, was the biggest change from KSSB to Blue Valley. “I think I like Blue Valley better,” he said. “It’s not so long of a drive and I’m starting to make friends that live a little closer to home. The only thing that took some getting used to is that during my KSSB years, most nights I would come home with absolutely no homework.” John’s family life isn’t as different as some may think. “It isn’t that different from living with someone who isn’t visually impaired,” John‘s brother, Abe Hermes said. Christine said that vacations can become difficult to plan, but that John finds other ways to enjoy experiences his family thinks he may dislike. “We went whale watching in Laguna -- sometimes I feel badly that he can’t participate, but I’ve come to realize that’s my disappointment, not his,” Christine said. “He never seems disappointed: he loves the wind in his face and he picks up on the smells much better. And I’ve come to realize that even though I might think that an experience wouldn’t interest him, I’m approaching it from a visual perspective instead of approaching it from a total sensory perspective.” John knows that there are some benefits to being visually impaired. “When we went to Disney World, while most people only got to ride four rides a day because there were so many lines,” he said, “My being visually impaired is kind of an asset, because we get to cut the lines.” John’s personality is very easygoing and tolerant, and he has an exceptionally kind heart, Christine said. “He’s really adaptable and accommodating,” she said. “I think his vision impairment has forced him to be that way, and he is, but in a very sincere way. He just goes with the flow. Along the same lines, there have been times when someone has left a toy on the floor that he’s stumbled over, or something on the stairs that he’s tripped over, or a cabinet door left open that he has whacked his head on really hard. But he never gets upset about it. He almost, not expects it, but is very tolerant of it.” Christine feels it’s important for other students to reach out to John. “He hears people, but he’s kind of in his own world. He can’t make out all of those voices until someone breaks into that bubble and says, ‘Hey, I’m so-and-so.’ He can’t see anyone going down the hall; he doesn’t have that connection until you talk to him. All of us tend to get in our own world and don’t recognize how important it is to reach out to those who are limited in their ability to reach out to us and what a positive impact they can make.” John and Christine said they are not bitter that John was born blind. “There’s no question it’s a challenge,” Christine said. “It’s so much easier to do everything for him than to teach him how to do it. I think the greatest thing I’m learning is that doing it for him doesn’t help him. I guess it’s like ‘you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.’ There’s so much to be said for giving a person that independence. So bitter wouldn’t be the right word. There’s a reason for everything. It has been great for my growth and my family’s growth. He’s really okay with who he is. It’s the rest of us that have to grow.” by Annie Burress

In-depth

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:23:08 +0000

My Voice: Junior year can provide lessons, enhance learning capability

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:23:16 +0000

My junior year has not gone as planned. I’ll be honest; it’s been the most challenging year of my life. My grades aren’t where I expected. I’ve worked harder than I ever have before, and to this point there aren’t many accomplishments to show for it. It’s frustrating, yeah. My dad was on the receiving end of several tear-filled phone calls about test scores this year. Not joking. But I can honestly say that I’ve taken on some of the most challenging classes our school has to offer (made it out alive), and benefited from them. I’m more prepared for college than ever. If I take away the microscope I use in AP Biology and look at the big picture, college readiness is what counts. If I can do this, anyone can. Enrollment is here and I would recommend signing up for a few of those tough courses you think will send you over the edge. They won’t. No matter what that AP class will throw at you, with a good sense of time management and some motivation you’ll be able to work your way through it. I did it. If I was able to, it’s possible. I can almost guarantee some late nights spent reading a textbook or writing an essay though. It’s all part of the job description. College classes require college-level reading and college-level application. More nights than not I fall asleep with a textbook in my hands, the lights on in my room and my glasses perched on my nose. I got used to it. You’ll probably consume a good amount of coffee, energy drinks, Rooster Boosters, etc., and spend a good portion of your paycheck on them. A tough junior schedule isn’t a bad thing — the challenge will make you a more responsible, driven student. But the benefits don’t come easily. There’s plenty of work that goes with it. And by plenty, I mean a near overwhelming amount. Junior year can teach you a few things: 1. A 50 percent on a unit exam isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 2. In order to do well in pretty much any class, you actually have to read the material. This can be harder than it sounds. Textbooks (at least the ones we use) are not written like action novels. 3. One low semester grade won’t kill your GPA. It can also teach you a lot about yourself. You’ll become the kind of student who does the homework, reading and test-prep even if it isn’t worth a grade. Just start preparing now, though, because speaking from experience, junior year was a wake-up call for me. Kind of like that annoying alarm clock that I wake up to at 5:30 a.m. every day to finish up my physics worksheets and pre-calculus book assignments. Freshmen and sophomores need to form good study habits now so that come junior year, five chapter’s worth of material isn’t impossible to study for. Try to use your assignment book to designate time increments or page numbers to get a certain amount of reading done every night. That way, you don’t end up reading two chapters of history in the early morning hours before a test. Been there, done that. For seniors who made it through this year: I applaud you. For my fellow classmates: we’re halfway done. For freshmen and sophomores: junior year isn’t impossible, it just seems like it when you’re there. by Caitlin Holland

In-depth Section

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:24:40 +0000

Staff Editorial: Recession causes further budget cuts, BV must make adjustments

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:25:19 +0000

The Johnson County bubble has done a nice job of sheltering a majority of the Blue Valley District community. “An economic recession? Not in our school.” However, because of recent budget cuts, just like the rest of the country, our district, and our school, is struggling to make ends meet. Blue Valley is now facing a challenge like never before. Principals and teachers in all schools in the district will be forced to decide what really deserves school funding and what expenses will have to be cut. So, within the coming months of our second semester, and most likely into the next school year, our Johnson County bubble will be popped. The economic downturn we all thought would pass has hit our school. We will all be feeling the effects of a tighter budget and more difficult financial decisions. No expenditure will go unexamined. As students, it is our duty to ensure that amidst all of the budget cutting and expense examining, we understand the situation and stand up for the most valuable parts of our high school experience. Field trips, although few and far between, provide for a learning experience that can’t quite be achieved in the classroom. Unfortunately, a tighter budget won’t allow funding for trips to see plays or visit museums. BV sports, one of the most cherished parts of our school, could see a change in the near future. With less money to devote to athletics and salaries for coaches, sports programs could see a reduction in teams, only allowing for varsity and junior varsity. The list of potential items that could be cut is long. In all reality, every area of the district will feel some pain, whether it’s the custodial staff, the volleyball team or the art department. It’s easy to just pass on the blame for the budget cuts. It’s easy to complain about our district’s financial condition. And, it’s easy to assume the extremes that the budget cuts could possibly produce. But there are small things students can do to make a difference. The phrase “every penny counts” should, in the next few months, be taken literally. Simple things like turning off computers at the end of the day or watching our paper consumption can in the long run make a difference in the school’s budget. We all have something we’re passionate about within our school. In such a trying time, BV as a whole must take careful consideration in how we spend our money so we can preserve what really matters.

BV celebrates 40 birthday

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:25:43 +0000

by Stephanie Roche and Emily Brown

Snow White and the Three Languages: Spanish, French, Latin students work together to perform multi-lingual

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:26:53 +0000

Hola! Bonjour! Salve! On Friday afternoons Anita Lemons’ Spanish room has been home to more than just Spanish. Spanish, French and Latin students have been rehearsing for the performance of a multi-lingual musical, Snow White. “I like that it is very cultural,” said junior Hannah Stone, member of the Spanish section and Timido (Bashful) the Dwarf. “We get to sing in a different language and that is really fun.” Making Snow White a musical made the play more difficult. “It’s a lot harder since we had to learn how to sing in French,” said junior Amber Megee. Coordinating all the languages into one play has been tough for the actors and teachers. “The toughest part is getting cues down,” said senior Matthew Roselli, the Spanish Prince Charming. “None of the teachers know all three languages so it is tough to coordinate.” The idea to do the play came to Lemons when she wanted to showcase foreign language to BV. “Foreign language is an intellectual elective,” Lemons said. “We want to show the students that it is fun to speak another language.” Lemons, and other foreign language teachers working on the play, translated the script themselves. “I bought a book of fairy tales to help with the translation,” Lemons said. Snow White will only be put on for Blue Valley Middle School, after Prairie Star declined to have the play. A major concern from the beginning was how much the audience would understand. “They know the story and we also have a chart that describes the scene and sets it up,” Lemons said. Being very physical and theatrical is an important part to showcasing the play, described sophomore Mollie Chesis. Chesis plays Snow White for the French section. “It is expressive and obvious in what we are saying and we have to gesture for everything,” Chesis said. Snow White flows between three different languages by using three different narrators. “The narrators set up each scene in the language and we are hoping to use a spotlight to make the play flow,” Lemons said. Stone said she loves the differences in the way everyone speaks. “Spanish is full of emotion and love, French sounds like a musical, and Latin just makes you want to listen. It’s so cool,” Stone said. The production had tough beginnings due to the language barrier. “Transitions were rough,” Stone said. “I didn’t know where my cue was because I didn’t know what anyone else was saying. We are getting much smoother.” Getting out of the classroom has been a great experience for Megee. “In the classroom you hear one language but in the play you hear everything,” she said. Language is also a source of passion for the actors. “It is good to see other people being so passionate about their language,” Chesis said. “I was impressed.” The show changed Chesis’s personal view on French. “It is a really fun way to think about your language,” she said. “It is actually a language, and I’m actually getting to be a part of it.” by Sam Brennan

NAHS-sponsored S.W.I.T.C.H dance tonight

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:29:07 +0000

The informal dance and fashion show, S.W.I.T.C.H, is scheduled for Jan. 22, after the girl’s varsity basketball game. The National Art Honor Society is hosting the event in the commons. The funds raised are being donated by NAHS to Save the Children, an organization that helps children in Haiti. BV students must pay $5 to get into the dance. The decorations will be retro and students are suggested to dress in crazy, mismatched attire. S.W.I.T.C.H contrasts the formal dress of other school dances by being more relaxed and focused on fun. “It’s going to be a killer dance party,” NAHS president senior Jen Timmons said. By Jacob Pruitt

Kay Club sponsors rose grams

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:30:02 +0000

Just in time for Valentine's Day, KAY club will be reviving a tradition of selling Rosebud Grams to BV students. “They are cute and fun and they make people feel good,” said KAY Club President Katie Louis. The Rosebuds will cost $2 each and all proceeds go to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief fund. The Rosebud Grams will be sold during lunch in the commons from Feb. 1-10 and will be delivered on Feb. 12. by Sam Brennan

Colleges look for key numbers on student transcripts

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:41:10 +0000

Take the CAPS program. It's a good way to get to know a potential career field. Don't take the CAPS program. It takes up too much time. Take the hardest classes offered. It'll up a weighted GPA. Don't take the most difficult classes. Colleges only look at an unweighted GPA. Participate in many activities and clubs. Colleges like a well-rounded student. Focus on one particular thing you're passionate about. Colleges like that in a student. Confused yet? There's a good deal of contradictory advice students receive from counselors, gifted teachers, administrators and parents. It's time to discern fact from fiction. According to BV gifted teachers, a good transcript consists of a few main things: a complete high school transcript, community service and involvement, clubs and activities, work experience and leadership opportunities, weighted and unweighted GPA, ACT/SAT scores, references, awards and possibly more. According to Julie Mills, an advisor at Purdue University, one of the first things colleges look at is a student's GPA. She also said that colleges will look at the student's grade point average in their core classes, and they will unweight the number. Certain out-of-state universities will not consider any student with a failing grade in any core class, no matter what their grade point average may be. However, Mills also said that taking more difficult classes both looks good and a transcript and prepares students for the college work load. "I would rather see someone take harder classes and be prepared for college than worry about lowering their GPA," she said. "And taking all basic classes in high school will most likely mean the same for college." Going hand-in-hand with GPA is a student's class rank; however, colleges and universities are starting to look at this number less and less. "Class rank used to be fairly important," Mills said. "But what I'm hearing is that most universities don't use it any more except for with scholarships." The other number colleges take seriously is that of the applying student's ACT or SAT scores. Many colleges will take either score, but according to Mills it's best for any student planning on attending college to take both. "Some people do significantly better on one than the other," she said. "The composition is different. If you have the opportunity, definitely take both." Mills also said that the ACT seems to be the better exam for fast test-takers, while the SAT is better for the intuitive student. It's also good to keep in mind that colleges will take the better score on either test. This means that students who feel they could do better should definitely give it another go. Colleges and universities don't look at community service hours as much as scholarship committees do. According to Mills, committees are looking for students who participated in community service that really helped people in need. "When you're on a committee you'll be looking for an outreach from the heart," she said. All in all, Mills said that high school is all about challenging yourself, doing your best and finding out your strengths and weaknesses. "Overall, take the most rigorous course work you can, but also develop strengths outside of your academics so you know what your good at before you go to college." by Sara Naatz

Sisters start above the fray sportsmanship club

bvtigernews — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:42:44 +0000

The referee calls a foul and one of the athletes disagrees. This athlete stomps their feet and shouts at the referee in anger. Suddenly, this turns into chaos with yelling from coaches, parents and other players. Seniors Kirsten and Anneliese Krull have seen incidents like this too many times, so they've decided to do something about it. "We've been around sports for a while," Kirsten said. "We've seen lots of players with bad attitudes and parents that are just cruel, mean and not uplifting." The Krulls decided to start the Blue Valley Sportsmanship Club, Above the Fray, to try to stand up for sportsmanship in our school. "We really just want to help people be positive," Kirsten said. "We want BVHS to have a reputation of showing good sportsmanship." Communication Arts teacher Kelsey Bakalar is the club's sponsor. "They [Kirsten and Anneliese] are really passionate about sportsmanship, so that made me excited to be a part of it," Bakalar said. "And I think that people respect them so this message of sportsmanship will spread." Sophomore Jenae Hicklin is also a part of this club. "It's cool to be a part of something that will make our students and coaches want to be more sportsmanlike," Hicklin said. The club is still forming and coming up with ideas on how to improve the school's sportsmanship. "So far we've really been focusing on brainstorming and financing," Anneliese said. "We've also done the S.W.I.N.E. T-shirts and sportsmanship awards [at the winter sports assembly]." The club has come up with a few ideas, so far, to help improve the school's sportsmanship. "We've written some announcements about sportsmanship that we'd like all the varsity teams to read before their games," Kirsten said. S.W.I.N.E. is the club's theme of the year, which is an acronym for Sportsmanship With Intensity Not Expletives. "Sports should be enjoyable for all students," Anneliese said. "We want to make the experience better for all the players." The Krulls strongly encourage more students to join the club. "The club's Facebook group has 61 people, but there are about 10-15 active members," Kirsten said. "We would love for more people to participate. We're always looking for new ideas." Times and dates of meetings and events are still being determined. "We're still figuring out a time for the meetings," Anneliese said. "We're working around the schedules of Mrs. Bakalar and all the athletes." Hicklin explains what is accomplished at the club meetings. "At the meetings we really just come up with ideas of how we can make our school's sportsmanship better," Hicklin said. This club is beginning to develop ideas about future activities. "We're looking to make plans for fans and athletes," Anneliese said. "The plans are pretty obvious," Bakalar said. "We want to see good sportsmanship spread throughout the school. It's contagious." Students who are interested in joining the Above the Fray Sportsmanship Club, talk to Kirsten or Anneliese Krull or Bakalar. by Jordan McEntee

Test1

bvtigernews — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:51:04 +0000

SWITCH

bvtigernews — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:05:27 +0000

Senior Erin Pham and Junior Kelly Urso show off thier moves on the dance floor at SWITCH. The dance was hosted on Friday 22, by the National Art Honors Society.

SWITCH

bvtigernews — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:06:02 +0000

Senior Erin Pham and Junior Kelly Urso show off thier moves on the dance floor at SWITCH. The dance was hosted on Friday 22, by the National Art Honors Society.

S.W.I.T.C.H dance

bvtigernews — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:07:55 +0000

[caption id="attachment_543" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Senior Erin Pham and Junior Kelly Urso show off thier moves on the dance floor at S.W.I.T.C.H. The dance was hosted on Friday, Jan. 22, by the National Art Honors Society. Photo by Haley Hickman."][/caption]

MikeMetcalf

bvtigernews — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:15:41 +0000

Senior signs with Bethany College

bvtigernews — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:18:15 +0000

[caption id="attachment_547" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Senior Mike Metcalfe signs with Bethany College on Monday, Jan. 25. Metcalfe will be on the pole vaulting team for the Swedes. Photo by Christian Huesers."][/caption]

Blue Valley's Tiger TV January 2010 Newscast

bvtigernews — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:15:40 +0000

Blue Valley Tiger TV Jan. 28, 2010 newscast. Overtime sports highlights. [vodpod id=Video.2950913&w=425&h=350&fv=]

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Apple introduces new technology

bvtigernews — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:02:49 +0000

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the highly anticipated iPad, a touchscreen tablet computer on Wednesday. The product, which will be available in 60 to 90 days, will allow the consumer to watch movies, TV shows, games, read books and listen to music almost anywhere. The iPad will cost $499 for a 16-gigabyte model and $599 for a 32 gigabyte model. It can run on AT&T's 3G service, or can be used with Wi-Fi. AT&T will charge $29.99 a month for unlimited use and $14.99 for up to 250 megabytes. The iPad has a 9.7 inch wide screen, weighs 1.5 pounds and is 0.5 inches thick. According to Apple's Web site, the Multi-Touch screen on the iPad is similar to that of an iPhone, but is completely re-engineered for the larger surface. With this new device, Apple will start competing with Amazon's Kindle and other e-readers from Sony and Barnes & Noble. by Emily Brown

Boys basketball game tonight, fundraiser for Haiti

bvtigernews — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:05:12 +0000

The Blue Valley boys basketball teams will be taking on Blue Valley West tonight at BV. The sophomore game is at 5:30 p.m. in the auxiliary gym, the junior varsity game is at 5:30 in the main gym and the varsity game will follow at 7 in the main gym. The theme for the varsity game is white trash. At the game, there will be a competition against BVW to raise the most money for Haiti. by Jordan McEntee

Boys varsity basketball loses to BV West

bvtigernews — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:34:46 +0000

The BV varsity boys basketball team lost to Blue Valley West tonight, 35-44. The starters for the Tigers included Steven Stinson, Hayden Murray, Anthony Abenoja and Brian Grant. BV went into halftime losing 11-23, but made a comeback only losing 28-29 at the end of the third quarter. Despite the comeback, the Tigers lost with a final score of 35-44. by Jordan McEntee

Injury leaves state hopes for senior wrestler questionable

bvtigernews — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:25:41 +0000

The wrestling team is without undefeated senior Nick Pearch while he recovers from an injury, which he said is a separation of the clavicle and sternum. Pearch was State runner-up last year and won the 215-pound division at the Bobcat Classic on Jan. 16. "It takes an undefeated wrestler out of our lineup every week," coach Jason Peres said. "As far as wrestling goes, when we compete in duals or tournaments, when you have a kid like that he scores a lot of points. It's hard for us to compete on a team level without it." Pearch injured himself playing dodgeball after practice. "I've gotten a lot of crap for it because it was from dodgeball," he said. "Pretty much 100 times a day someone asks me when I'm coming back. It's kind of annoying but I guess it's good that people care." Peres said Pearch's injury affects more than himself, as the team is out a leader. "Nick is really a leader for the team, older kid, high-skilled," Peres said. "That's like taking a leader out of your team. The way I see it, when you have a good leader, you have a good practice. He tries to lead by example though. He still goes to practice and just kind of watches and helps the other guys, so the other guys are like 'He's working hard, so I can work hard.'" Despite Pearch remaining a leader, the team does not have another wrestler to fill Pearch's vacated spot on the mat. "We have a few guys we could bump up, but no one who naturally fits into that weight," Peres said. This is not a long-term issue, as Pearch plans on wrestling at Regionals in three weeks, regardless of his injury. "I will definitely be back (for regionals)," he said. "If it still hasn't healed, but it isn't gonna kill me, I can take the pain. I'll suck it up." Peres said conditioning is the major problem trying to wrestle after three weeks out. "Nick's wrestled his whole life, so the wrestling aspect is pretty solid," he said. "What he's going to have to do is run and maybe work on the bike." Pearch said he hasn't let up on his conditioning, but he is a bit disheartened. "I think he's tried to keep a positive attitude," Peres said. "But this is his senior year. This is a kid who really enjoys the sport of wrestling and the injury is taking him away from what he loves." by Ryan O'Toole

Debate team claims fifth state title in decade

bvtigernews — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:02:57 +0000

On Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23, the Blue Valley debate team won the four-speaker state title for the fifth time in the past decade. The team was led by coach Chris Riffer and consisted of seniors Zach Garber, Kevin Hansen and Tyler Kalmus and junior Samantha Nichols. "I was very excited," Riffer said. "It was well-deserved by those kids. They worked extremely hard for it." Blue Valley West took second and Manhattan took third. by Sara Naatz

"Pink-out" basketball games tonight

bvtigernews — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:50:43 +0000

BV is hosting girls and boys sophomore, JV and varsity basketball games tonight against Blue Valley North. The theme for all of the games is pink-out in support of breast cancer awareness. The boys sophomore team is in the auxiliary gym at 4 p.m. while the girls JV team plays in the main gym. At 5:30 p.m., the girls varsity is playing in the main gym while the boys JV team plays in the auxiliary gym. Boys varsity plays the final game of the night at 7:00 p.m. in the main gym as the girls sophomore team plays in the auxiliary gym. by Jordan McEntee

Seniors sign with colleges for football scholarships

bvtigernews — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:28:58 +0000

Seniors Anthony Abenoja, Tyler Disney, Ethan Reinke and Bryant Stephens signed with colleges on Feb. 3 . Abenoja and Disney signed with Pittsburg State University, while Rinke signed with Kansas State University and Stephens with William Jewell College. Each player had a chance to thank his supporters and each had a coach talk on his behalf. "You always feel great because its the next step in what they want to do," coach John Brown said. "There's some pride and some loss because they'll be somewhere else and we have to start with new players." by Sara Naatz

Sweetheart Spirit Week

bvtigernews — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:59:01 +0000

It is the Sweetheart Dance Spirit Week. The themes for the individual days are as follows: Monday: Pajama Day/Bedhead Tuesday: Old Man Sweater Day Wednesday: Career Day Thursday: Superhero Day Friday: Black and Gold Day The number of people who dress up from each grade will be counted every day and the results will be calculated as a class competition. by Annie Burress

Colleges plan to visit BV in the next month

bvtigernews — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:08:56 +0000

Deadlines for college are approaching. The following colleges and universities will be at Blue Valley in the next month: University of Iowa- Feb. 19 Baker University- Feb. 19 Baylor University- Feb. 19 Pittsburg State University- Feb. 25 University of Missouri-Kansas City- March 3 Liberty University- March 5 Missouri Western University- March 8 Wichita State University- March 9 by Haley Schroer

Eric Driskell named head football coach at Blue Valley High School

bvtigernews — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:16:13 +0000

Long time assistant varsity football coach and former player, Eric Driskell was named head football coach at Blue Valley. Driskell addressed the team after school officials introduced him Thursday afternoon. [vodpod id=Video.3034267&w=425&h=350&fv=]

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Boys basketball loses to Blue Valley Northwest

bvtigernews — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:27:10 +0000

The BV boys basketball team faced Blue Valley Northwest last night and lost 38-34. The starters for the Tigers were Steven Stinson, Paul DeBey Jr., Anthony Abenoja, Hayden Murray and Doug Austin. The Tigers came out strong in the first quarter, but ended the quarter losing with a low score of 7-9. The halftime score was 9-16, with BVNW in the lead. BV cheerleaders provided halftime entertainment with the male guest performers from the sweetheart assembly. After the third quarter, the Tigers were still down with a score of 19-27. However, they made a comeback during the fourth quarter. With 36.5 seconds left in the game, Austin made a three-pointer to make the score BV 31, BVNW 33. Then again with 5.5 seconds left, he made another three-pointer making the score 34-36, with BVNW still in the lead. Despite this last comeback, the Tigers couldn't pull out the win and lost 34-38. by Jordan McEntee

Scholars bowl team takes second at state

bvtigernews — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:26:39 +0000

The Scholars Bowl team took second at state Saturday, losing to Washburn Rural. The team consisted of junior Gautham Prakash and seniors Johnathon Davis, Howard Grimberg, Kevin Hansen, Tyler Kalmus and Yanjie Yu. BV went to state for the first time in school history sponsored by math teacher Adam Wade. “It was really exciting being the first team to do this competition from our school,” Yu said. ”We had two other tournaments this year so we kind of knew what to expect for state.” The team qualified for state Feb. 4 by tying for second place at regionals where they went 8-2, including two wins over eventual state champion Washburn Rural. At the state competition, located at Wichita Northwest High School, BV was one of eight qualifying teams. BV got off to an early start in the final match but couldn’t hold on to their lead. “Overall, it was a tremendously successful season for us,” Wade said. “We finished with a record of 26-7, but more importantly second in class 6A.” During the competition, the team answered questions from various categories including foreign language, language arts, science, social studies, math, fine arts and year in review. The format for the competition is similar to that of Categories in that you have to be the first to buzz in and answer a question correctly in order to earn the points. Teams are awarded 10 points for each correct answer and are penalized five points for answering incorrectly. In addition to the students competing at state, senior Aziza Moola, juniors Allen Xu and Holden Rolfs and sophomore Allen Zhu were also members of the squad. by Stephanie Roche

No cuts made for the Blue Valley Southwest Student Advisory Board

bvtigernews — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:45:14 +0000

Blue Valley Southwest principal Scott Roberts said there were no cuts for the Student Advisory Board. "We decided to let everybody who applied serve on the board," he said. "We are going to split out the incoming freshmen for the first few meetings and do something different with them. We will bring them into the larger group later this spring." Students who applied to the Blue Valley Southwest Student Advisory Board should recieve an e-mail confirming their application. The tentative plan for the group's first meeting is to have students work in small groups and provide feedback on a number of topics. by Annie Burress

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat shows through Saturday

bvtigernews — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:57:27 +0000

Blue Valley's musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opened last night in the PAC at 7:30 p.m. The cast performed for the largest opening crowd in choir director Marsha Moeller's BV career, with only 100 tickets available at the door. The cast of Joseph will perform tonight at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and again on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the doors. by Haley Schroer

Elton John, Billy Joel concert

bvtigernews — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:42:07 +0000

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33e84jmPhxE] A few video clips from the Elton John and Billy Joel concert Saturday, Feb. 27 at Sprint Center. by Stephanie Roche

Blue Valley's Tiger TV February 2010 Show

bvtigernews — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:41:46 +0000

Blue Valley's Tiger TV February 2010 Show

[vodpod id=Video.3162969&w=425&h=350&fv=]

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Tiger Mentor application process begins, students to gain beneficial experience

bvtigernews — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:47:23 +0000

It's that time of year again. It’s time for current sophomores and juniors to apply to be Tiger Mentors for the 2010-2011 school year. Social studies teacher and mentor coordinator Courtney Buffington said that the application process is extremely competitive. "It is tough competition because we have so many wonderful students at BVHS, but we are looking for a variety of personalities and leadership styles," she said. "We don't just want the 'usual suspects.'" To become a Tiger Mentor, you must first go through a unique application process. "You complete a written application that is electronically submitted," she said. "I request teacher feedback on applicants from the school's faculty, and finally an interview and lesson performance are done by each applicant." Current Tiger Mentor, senior Kaitlin Long says that the application process is pretty competitive. "So many people apply because it's an awesome program," she said. "But there are only so many spots." Because this process is so competitive, Buffington has a few tips for students looking into being mentors. "Advice I would give is to be a model student inside and outside the classroom," she said. "Show you have a strong ability to communicate with both teachers and students." Long has some advice of her own for future mentors. "When you go into the interview, be yourself," she said. "Don't try to act like 'the perfect mentor' because there's no such thing. Mrs. Buffington and the other teachers in there are looking for a wide variety of people." If you get accepted to be a mentor, you acquire a number of responsibilities. "Mentors are required to attend a summer training day in August as well as serve as leaders during Freshmen week in August — that time period is my favorite for the mentors," Buffington said. "After that, you do the Thursday Tiger Time classes and communicate with fellow mentors to plan your lessons each week." Long believes that it is the responsibility of the Tiger Mentors to make the freshman feel like part of the BV tradition. "You become responsible for letting the new freshmen know how amazing our school is," she said. "You have to fill them in on traditions and things like homecoming. It's a big responsibility. You want them to feel welcome and at home from the get-go." According to Buffington, there are many benefits to becoming a Tiger Mentor. "As a Tiger Mentor you have a chance to develop relationships with kids not in your grade and make a positive impact on a freshman's first year of high school," Buffington said. Buffington said for students who are attending Blue Valley Southwest next year, information about the BVSW mentor program should be released later in the spring. Long believes that overall, being a Tiger Mentor is a very beneficial "Being a Tiger Mentor is a really awesome experience," she said. "I still remember my mentors from freshman year and I really did look up to them. So being a mentor for other people is something that maybe they'll remember too." by Jordan McEntee

Kansas City area offers various St. Patrick's Day hangouts

bvtigernews — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:50:55 +0000

36th Annual Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade Where: Broadway from 33rd to 43rd Street When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. What: This world-famous parade will have a "going green" theme this year. The parade is always a classic event to go to on St. Patrick's day and a fun time. Viewers will find some of the greatest floats in Kansas City, the most outrageous crowd and more people out of their minds then you can count. This parade is a crazy, fun experience for anyone who goes and an exceptional "people-watching" event. Flannigan's Right Hook concert Where: Llywelyn's Pub, 151st Street and Metcalf Avenue When: 4 p.m. What: A Kansas City Irish rock band will perform what gets classified as "Celtic Rock." Flannigans Right Hand is one of the bands that always represents this genre. Their music is traditionally performed in Ireland, but they sometimes incorporate the rap-and-rock environment of Kansas City. Their playlist for concerts include many classic Irish Ballads, U.S. country songs or even a little bit of U2. Eddie Delahunt concert Where: Mike Kelly’s Westsider, Mo. When: Right after the Parade What: A one-man Irish rock musician, Eddie Delahunt is a soulful Irish singer-songwriter and musician in the folk tradition. He is known as the best Irish performer and singer in Kansas City by his fans, and they have a good reason to say so. Most say if you only buy one Irish CD, or go to any Irish concert, he is the guy to see. He combines acoustics with Irish classics to make a sound of music most never hear of. This will surely be a packed house beginning immediately after the parade. This is sure to be a good concert to go and celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your friends. by Chris Roche

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bvtigernews — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:17:12 +0000

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Girls basketball team loses to Olathe South in state tournament

bvtigernews — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:28:04 +0000

[caption id="attachment_652" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Sophomore Taylor Leathers catches the basketball after Olathe North scores a basket. Blue Valley lost to Olathe North 55-44."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_653" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Seniors Nicole Gloor and Nicole Berry watch the game from the side line during the last minute of the game. Blue Valley was down by ten points."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_654" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Varsity girls basketball coach, Andy Unrein, contemplates the lost game. Photos by Jackie Lippert."][/caption]

Five BV girls sign for college soccer

bvtigernews — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:03:11 +0000

On the Wednesday before spring break, five senior girls signed to different colleges around the country to play soccer. Those five girls were Brooke Lickteig, Alysha Palacio, Jay Palm, Evan Palmer and Sally Stromme. "These girls have the opportunity to play at the next level because they have put in many long hours," head soccer coach K. Dean Snell said. "Opportunities like this don't come without hard work." Brooke Lickteig signed to play soccer at the University of Central Missouri. "Brooke is one of our varsity co-captains," Snell said. "She is a very unselfish player and she demands the best from herself and her teammates." Alysha Palacio will soon be an Eagle at the NAIA school, Oklahoma Christian University. "She really shows great attitude, skills, and leadership on this team," Snell said. "We will miss her greatly." Jay Palm signed with the division one school, Stony Brook University in New York. "Jay is a four-year varsity player," Snell said. "She is a great leader and is also very unselfish. She even stepped up to play goalie one year when our goalie was injured." Evan Palmer will be attending the University of Arkansas. "She is one of our co-captains and also a four-year starter on the varsity squad," Snell said. "Evan sets a great example with her leadership and she truly cares about her teammates. She will certainly be missed." Sally Stromme signed to attend and play soccer at the University of Minnesota Duluth. "She is a really great teammate and player," Snell said. "We will really miss Sally a lot." by Jordan McEntee

Tiger TV, BV High April, 1 2010

bvtigernews — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:58:30 +0000

Blue Valley High's, Tiger TV April 1, 2010 Show

[vodpod id=Video.3358372&w=425&h=350&fv=]

more about "Blue Valley's Tiger TV April 1, 2010 ...", posted with vodpod

Science Outreach Club inspires younger students to get involved in science.

bvtigernews — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:17:22 +0000

The faces of the middle school students light up as glow-in-the-dark liquids illuminate the classroom and bright, colorful fires burn. This is the Science Outreach Club. Science Outreach gives high schoolers the opportunity to present science-related demonstrations to younger students. "This club introduces kids to things they've never seen or heard of," senior Emily Huff said. "We let them know that when they're in high school, they can join the club and do all these experiments and more." The purpose of the club is to get the younger students interested in science. For club members, interaction with the children is key. "My favorite part of the club is seeing the younger kids' reactions when we do all of the demos in front of them," Huff said. "I love working with children. They're always enthusiastic, which helps both us and them have more fun learning." The club meets every Thursday to discuss what kind of demonstrations they will do for the next presentation. The amount of presentations vary each month and there are field trips about once a month. "I learned a lot of the demos we do in AP Chemistry, but we try to look up new demos we've never heard of so I learn a lot about those and more about chemistry in general," Huff said. "We just try to figure out which experiments are the most interesting." Club sponsor Charlena Sieve said members learn many different skills. "They obviously learn the theory behind scientific experiments but they also learn other things like how to get along with others, tolerance, presentation skills," she said. "Hopefully, they become interested in science careers along the way." Huff's interest in the medical field was the reason for her joining the club. "I joined because I love science, so I figured the more I learn, the better off I'll be," Huff said. "It's also just a fun club to be involved in. It's exciting, entertaining, interesting and a good way to meet other people and learn more about science in general." Sieve said that any kind of student can join the club. "So many students have embraced Science Outreach," Sieve said. "It captures the interest of all kinds of students." by Emily Brown

Varsity basketball girls play up team chemistry in games

bvtigernews — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:49:44 +0000

Head coach Andy Unrein first noticed his team's capability for success at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. "I knew they'd be talented even with losing the seniors," he said. "I just knew they had the tangible parts necessary to be good." After making it to the first round of the state tournament, BV lost by 11 points to Olathe South. However, it would take more than a loss at state to damage the friendships made between the girls. Unrein said the thing about this team that sets them apart from others he'd coached is how well they get along. "There aren't any personality clashes, which can be hard to say about 18 girls," he said."They spend a lot of time together. A lot of them were on JV or varsity when they were younger, so they have more years around the same kids." Senior Lauren Wormington said she felt the team was lucky in what types of girls made the team, which aided in the team bonding. "There was no butting heads," she said. "As seniors we did a good job of doing this as a team off the court, like team dinners and team sleepovers." These activities helped promote closer friendships. "I have done things like this in other teams, but those were mandated by the coach," sophomore Taylor Leathers said. "We did these just to hang out. We didn't have to talk about basketball. It was just like hanging out with friends but more fun." The girls spent time together on and off the court, going to other school events as a group. "We all went to S.W.I.T.C.H. together," Leathers said. "It made it 10 times more fun with all the basketball girls together, just having a blast. We don't care if we look like fools while we're dancing together." Even with the loss of the seniors, Leathers said she doesn't feel the team will lose the compatibility in future teams. "We'll miss them but we have to carry on without them," she said. "We'll take qualities they had and try to pull them out of ourselves. They lead without being negative in any way. They tell us what we should do, not [what we] have to do, and we listen." Though the team fell short of winning state, Wormington said she couldn't be happier with how her final season at BV turned out. "I feel so good about this season," she said. "Yeah, we lost in state but it was a huge accomplishment to make it to state." Senior Nicole Berry has mixed feelings about her last season with the team. "It was bittersweet," she said. "We did lose but I was glad at how far we'd come." Wormington thinks the tight-knit atmosphere will help continue BV's success. "I think team bonding and chemistry are important," she said. "We need to emphasize the importance of no drama and to always be working hard." Berry hopes future BV teams will continue to receive the support their team got this year. "I loved the fact that the band played at so many games," she said. "I hope that continues and I hope the teams still get the crowds we got. I hope they [the players] are all devoted." Berry said the closeness is what helped them achieve their goals. "It is what helped us win games," Berry said. "I definitely think the friendships we made will carry on through the years. I know some girls I won't lose touch with." by Maegan Kabel.

Blue Valley teacher deals with living near Waldo violence.

bvtigernews — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:55:49 +0000

Since fall of 2009, five rapes have taken place in the Waldo-area of Kansas City, Missouri. Police believe that the same man sexually assaulted all of the women, but the man still has not been arrested or even identified. Communication Arts teacher Britt Qualls lives in Waldo and she finds the situation very frightening. "It's really scary that they have no idea who the man is," Britt said. "They have a picture but that's not much. He has hurt so many women, but they still haven't found him." Britt's husband Brad Qualls believes that the rapists' method of stalking the women is extremely disturbing. "What scares me the most is that he really knows his victims," Brad said. "He obviously spends some time learning their movements and when they will be alone." Britt agrees with her husband. "This man is stalking women," she said. "He figures out their schedules and he knows when the men aren't home." For the most part, Britt feels protected. "I feel pretty safe," she said. "I don't live alone and that seems to be who he is targeting." Despite feeling relatively safe, Britt and her family are taking a few extra precautions to ensure their safety. "A couple weeks ago my husband had to go out of town so he really wanted me and the kids to spend the night at my mom's house, so we did," she said. Brad said he makes sure to lock the doors at all times and keeps an eye out for strange behavior nearby. "In the morning, I leave before my wife, so I have to make sure I bolt the door," Brad said. "Also, if I am out of town for a weekend, I won’t let my wife stay at home by herself even if she has the kids. When I see someone strange walking around the neighborhood, I definitely take notice more now than ever." Along with the $15,000 award being offered to whoever can identify the rapist, many people in the Waldo area are coming up with their own methods to track him down. "In every corner of the neighborhood there are pictures of the man," Britt said. "Lots of businesses in the area have their own rewards for finding the man, along with the state reward." Britt believes that the rapist situation doesn't affect the children of Waldo as much as it affects older people. "I have young kids so they see the pictures, but they don't really have a clue," Qualls said. "They just say 'look mommy, it's the guy!' It's complicated, but they understand he's a scary, bad man." The Qualls are trying to sell their house and wonder if the rapist situation will affect the sale. "The house has only been on the market for about two weeks, so it's a bit too early to tell if it's being affected by this situation," Britt said. "I don't really think it is." Brad believes the sale of the house is being affected. "I am sure it has had some effect on the house," Brad said. "Especially if single women are looking to buy a home." While the Qualls don't know any of the women who have been assaulted, the closest attack was only 5 blocks from their house. Despite this, Britt fears for her neighbor. "I have a neighbor who is middle aged and single and she has a little first grade boy," she said. "She is a strong and smart woman but I just worry about her. She has a very predictable schedule and she just seems like the 'prime candidate.' She always has her German Shepherd at her house, but I just can't help but worry about her." Brad has his own ideas about where the authorities should look to track down the Waldo Rapist. "One thing that they have said is that the perpetrator smells of exhaust fumes," he said. "Sounds to me like he might ride on the back of a garbage truck or something. Those types of people aren’t 'seen' by the public much because they are outside all day." by Jordan McEntee

Board finalizes '10- '11 budget cuts; music, sports spared.

bvtigernews — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:50:28 +0000

List of the finalized budget cuts The Board of Education announced more than $6 million in budget cuts for next year in their meeting at Blue Valley Northwest on Monday, April 5. Middle school sports as well as elementary school band and strings programs were not cut, but activity fees will be doubled to $120 per high school student for the 2010-2011 year. The board was faced with making cuts to keep pace with the dropping Base Student Aid Per Pupil (BSAPP) number, which left a $6.25 million deficit for next year. Along with the doubled activity fee, class sizes will increase on the elementary, middle and high school levels. Board member Pam Robinson expressed concerns at the meeting Monday about some of the cuts, especially one that will take away four certified curriculum and instruction specialists. “The elimination of this program is very shortsighted,” she said. “It causes me concern for the future of our district.” Board member Sue Matson spoke at the meeting about the increase in average class size. Board members justified the augmentation of class size because of its high-dollar savings and minimal effect on students. “We cannot get to our $6.25 million amount without raising class size,” Matson said. “This means the guideline will be changed and it will affect 15 percent of elementary school students. We need to look at the impact across the district.” The board members took parent and student suggestions into account when making their decisions, and said they read more than 1,200 e-mails and letters throughout the reduction process. Many parents and students stressed the importance of keeping sports and music programs available. However, the board warned that the programs will still be at risk for being cut in the future, if the Kansas legislature does not allocate more money to schools. Board President Steve Klika anticipates the budget shortfall for the 2011-2012 school year to be around $3 million. “We will depend on the legislature and may expect future cuts down the line,” he said at the budget meeting on Monday. Elementary band and strings teacher Daniel Kirk, who also assists the high school band, argued that music programs are vital because students can’t get the same performing experience outside of school. “There is no BV Rec for band,” Kirk said. “Our kids don’t have any other options.” BV band director Avian Bear added she believed cutting elementary school band and strings programs would result in fewer student musicians moving up to the high school band and orchestra, which reflects poorly on the program. “Kids perceive numbers as quality,” she said. “When numbers go down, kids perceive the quality is going down.” Bear also said since kids wouldn’t receive band instruction until middle school, they would not be prepared to play the same difficulty level of music as most 6A high schools. “As a 6A school we’re expected to play a certain level of literature,” she said. “We’ll have to come down on that level.” Blue Valley Middle School head boys’ track coach Kyle Kunard said middle school sports are important because they offer all kids the opportunity to participate and gain team-building skills. “I hate to think of the way it would be without middle school sports,” Kunard said. Kunard also said without sporting events to attend, students won’t have the same enthusiasm for their school that they do now — and that affects kids inside the classroom as well. “It knocks down school spirit big time,” Kunard said. “They [sporting events] become a place where the 6th, 7th and 8th graders can all cheer for their team. It becomes a school identity.” At the community meeting at Blue Valley North on March 25, board members considered establishing a scholarship fund for students who won’t be able to pay the doubled activity fees. The district also established a $250 activity fee cap for families with multiple students. by Caitlin Holland

Budget Cuts

bvtigernews — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:02:29 +0000

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bvtigernews — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:18:07 +0000

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bvtigernews — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:18:12 +0000

On April 15 the junior and senior classes viewed a mock car crash depicting what happens after a drunk driving accident. Senior Daniel Reardon watches as Med-Act prepares to take his date to the ambulance.

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bvtigernews — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:18:16 +0000

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bvtigernews — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:22:59 +0000

Prom assembly captures attention of students

bvtigernews — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:26:39 +0000

[caption id="attachment_678" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Senior Scott Bolton demonstrated what could happen if you get caught drunk-driving on prom night."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_681" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="On April 15 the junior and senior classes viewed a mock car crash depicting what happens after a drunk driving accident. Senior Daniel Reardon watches as Med-Act prepares to take his date to the ambulance."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_682" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Students from the Reparatory Theater department showed what devastating events can occur on prom night when poor choices are made. All photos by Haley Hickman."][/caption] Please be safe on prom night, don't drink and drive.