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WIN“This is what high school basketball is all about,” coach Ryan Phifer said. Tonight, in the biggest game of the most promising basketball season in years, North takes on Northwest in what could determine the EKL title. The story continues on page 7...

NORTH STARTH

E

photo by Alex Goldman, illustration by Christin Smith

[INSIDE

Editors-In-ChiefAlex GoldmanJessi Glueck

Online EditorMichael Hoffman

Photo EditorChristin Smith

Design EditorSarah Campbell

Feature EditorBerkeley Lovelace

News EditorReid Eggleston

Sports EditorDavid Tauber

Opinion EditorEllie Holcomb

Entertainment EditorLiz Gaa

Business ManagerSarah Evans

Multimedia EditorAli Fallucca

IllustratorBerkeley Lovelace

PhotographersAli FalluccaFrancine Gollub

Staff WritersSarah EvansLily LiebermanChris ShanklinHayley BergerRachel AndersonEvan WatsonDanny RosenbergOlga DeckmanAshley Ruben

AdviserMelinda Gilman

The North Star Staff:

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

The North StarBlue Valley North High School

12200 Lamar Ave.Overland Park, KS 66209

(913) 239-3116

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

thecover

Check out our Facebook page! Starting with this issue, we’ll be posting weekly posts on everything from BVN sports to DIY projects. For more informations, visit The North Star Online page.

03news

03–Presidential candidates 2012 04–MIPs ruin students’ weekend

06sports

06–Athlete of the Month 08–Soccer mania takes over America

11feature

11–Find your inner nerd 14–Julie Lindsay’s battle with cancer

17entertainment 17–Kansas City’s best sushi 19–Spring fashion preview

21opinion

21–Our own Cougartown 22–What’s really wrong with the BVN parking lot?

Issue 5, Volume 26Blue Valley NorthOverland Park, KSJanuary 27, 2012

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

03the north star news 01.27.12

District health and food service leaders will meet next month to discuss implementing new

ways to keep chronically low-lunch balance students out of the red. Among the ideas in play are principal-approved daily passes for free lunch, flyers sent home for students who frequently teeter into the negative and an increase in email notifications of balances at any given time. “In the past, the system has been simple-if you’re negative, the servers technically aren’t allowed to sell you anything,” Charles Rathbun, Blue Valley Director of Food and Nutrition Services for the district, said. “We’re trying to make it a little more lenient for the kids and for our servers, too.” While these initiatives won’t be implemented until at least spring break, word of change comes to the relief of Blue Valley’s cafeteria workers and students alike. “I normally just get the pizza or sandwiches,” senior Elisabeth Dupont said. “They’re expensive, but I’m glad they’re options because I don’t think I’d eat my lunch at school if I didn’t

have these.” “You feel sorry for the kids who come through here and you know every day that they won’t be able to pay for what they get,” Cafeteria Supervisor Randy Smith said. “I start to think they might be better served with a free or reduced lunch plan.” Another option, the free and reduced lunch plan allows a family of four that makes less than $41,348 yearly to pay $0.40 rather than the standard $2.35 for a Type A meal, which includes an entree, unlimited sides and a beverage of milk or juice. “I’m extremely satisfied with the [free and reduced lunch] program,” a senior said. “I mean, my options are limited, but if my mom’s out of work, I can get a much cheaper meal, which

is what my family needs right now.” Still, many on the lunch staff are concerned about the number of students they see who are on the program. “You see kids who are eligible for this service and whose lunch accounts are always negative, but they don’t take advantage of the opportunity,” Smith said. Some speculate that there is pressure not to apply for programs such as these, given the culture in which their children have been raised. In fact, Blue Valley North has a greater percentage of students who are eligible for the service than the rest of the district. Even with this true, current guidelines do not allow students to

Reid EgglestonNews Editor

As Republican candidates trudged through the South Carolina primary, political

pundits are still unsatisfied with the lack of a clear GOP front-runner. The rollar coaster ride of leading candidates has allowed voters to get a closer look at each hopeful as they’ve handled the spotlight. Candidates Mitt Romney and Ron Paul have been focusing their attacks on the flaws of the Obama

South Carolina proves rocky ground for Republican hopefuls

Ashley RubenStaff Writer

Cafeteria servers encourage students to buy Type A meals and especially to stock up on fruits and veggies, which are available at no added cost to students who buy a meal. Photo by Christin Smith.

District strives to restore depleted lunch accountspurchase more than one meal with a negative account. “I can’t let you go that far below zero [dollars],” Smith said. “It’s a department policy...but I think free and reduced accounts would at least decrease this problem.” For the students who are able to pay but desire not to, cafeteria supervisor Kathy Dietz stresses a simpler alternative. “If you want to save money, and we’ve always pressed this, get the Type A meal,” Dietz said. In the past, this has surfaced as the most viable option for students on a budget, but as new avenues for easing the burden on lunch balances open, many foresee scrapping cheap meals in favor of vendors’ foods, which are much more agreeable with the student population. “I eat the pizza and sandwiches anyway,” junior Steven Miles said. “Even if it is cheap, I’m not eating those chicken nuggets three days of the week.”

Administration, while other candidates have soley been trying to take down Romney, their greatest threat. The change in leadership in the polls has caused a party rift. The growing divide suggests there might not be a conservative candidate strong enough to beat Obama, which has left many voters concerned. As the gap between candidates widens, potential nominees have

been dropping like flies. The most recent victims are Governor Rick Perry and former Utah Governor Jon Huntstman, who in a South Carolina poll ranked behind comedian Stephen Colbert. Perry dropped out of the race just before the South Carolina primaries. Perry endorsed his former opponent, Newt Gingrich, who, after a solid win in South Carolina, could seriously damage the Romney

campaign. The next state to host the candidates is Florida on Jan. 31. With three different winners in the three previous contests, the winner of Florida’s presidential primary is uncertain at this time. With 111 North students elligible to vote, much attention will be paid to the race.

8%While 92.1 percent of students buy Type A lunches, 7.9 percent of students are on the free and reduced program, a number that is .5 percent higher than the district average. Photo illustration by Ali Fallucca.

92%

04 the north star news 01.27.12

Weekend party brings criminal charges

What began as a normal night of hanging out, laughing and drinking ended in charges of Minor In Possession (MIP)

for 10 Blue Valley North students on Sunday, Jan. 15. “It wasn’t even a party,” senior Ben* said. “We were just watching TV. We had a soccer game later that night. Yeah, there was a little bit of drinking going on. All of the sudden we hear ‘Overland Park Police Department’ and see two cops walk down the stairs.” Police officers individually questioned Ben and his friends, read them their Miranda rights and wrote out a ticket to each for Minor In Possession. To Ben, the experience was surreal. “You think it can’t happen to you, but it did happen, and it sucks,” he said. In the state of Kansas, an MIP charge may be issued to any person under 21 who possesses, consumes, obtains or attempts to obtain alcoholic beverages. Johnson County District Attorney Stephen Howe’s office reports that hundreds of juveniles within Johnson County are charged with MIP each year. Ben and his friends are discovering the consequences of being charged with criminal offenses. “I’ll have to do 10 hours of community service, there’s a chance I can get my license suspended, and I have to go to alcohol abuse class,” Ben said. “I can’t get in trouble for the next six months–not even a speeding ticket. I have to be extremely careful and not do anything wrong.” Multiple students charged that night are athletes, and an MIP could be a detriment to their seasons under Blue Valley North’s athletics policies. “There’s a three-step method to the policy,” Athletics Director Mickey Masterson said. “On their first offense, a person would sit out for 20 to 50 percent of their season. The second step is to sit out the next season. The third step is to sit out for a full year.” Masterson declined to comment on the specific consequences of this recent incident. According to Masterson, Blue Valley North administrators added regulations to district policy to create stricter guidelines. “Our policy is a little different because it’s 24/7/365,” he said, referring to the policy’s year-

round effectiveness. “People have to understand that if something happens in the summer, it still affects them.” “One of our players is definitely involved with this,” varsity boys basketball coach Ryan Phifer said. “But there were other people involved, people who

don’t play athletics, and people don’t know about that. There’s definitely more of a spotlight on athletes...I don’t think that’s fair.” Decisions made off the court can affect a team’s performance, raising questions about the direction of North’s basketball team after an undefeated beginning to the season. “[An MIP] affects things on the court,” Phifer said. “When we’re playing without a certain person, our rotations are different, who we put in the game is different, and it’s different in practice. It might disrupt the rhythm and the timing that we have during games.”

Despite potential challenges, Phifer is optimistic that North’s basketball team can surmount the struggle of temporarily losing a player. “As a team we need to come together and overcome the loss of a teammate for a few weeks and try to play even harder and better,” he said. Phifer challenges the friends of students that belong to a team to help keep them accountable and avoid trouble. “If you’re a friend to somebody that’s part of a team, a really good friend would tell that person to get out of that situation,” he said. “The problem sometimes is that people think you have to be around that kind of situation to be around your friends, and that’s not true.” Despite past mistakes, all involved seem to agree that second chances are crucial to a student’s future. “Nobody is here to yell at them or get mad at them, but we want them to be responsible for their actions,” Masterson said. “Our job is to educate, so we have to do a good job of educating people about responsibility and citizenship. We all make mistakes, but we have to learn from our mistakes.” As for Ben, his disposition toward underage drinking has changed since being charged. “I definitely won’t [drink alcohol] anymore until college,” he said. “I’ve learned not to do it.”

“You think it can’t happen to you,

but it did happen.”

Sarah EvansBusiness Manager

*Name changed to protect students involved

How the aftermath affects North

Photo illustration by Sarah Campbell.

05the north star news 01.27.12

Moe, a swaggering black-and-white Newfoundland dog, begins each day at 6

a.m. with a bowl of water and kibble. After gulping down water, he barks, licks or stands on the backs of his adoptive owners–it’s time for them to go to work. At 7, it’s Moe’s playtime. Sprinting for his toy Moe feels a sharp pressure in his legs, his joints buckle and he falls down, unable to get up. Widely known as a gentle-giant weighing over 110 pounds, not many know that Moe has Wobblers Syndrome. If it weren’t for a series of fortunate events, beginning with an act by his original owners, he probably would have been euthanized. After being taken to a rescue group by his original owners, Moe eventually ended up at Wayside Waifs, a no-kill animal shelter in Kansas City, where he was adopted. “Moe was in one word: awesome,” AnnMarie Thomas, volunteer manager for Wayside Waifs said. “[Moe] had a very optimistic attitude. Other dogs with his condition and lifestyle would have become depressed.” Four million cats and dogs, in the U.S., are euthanized in shelters each year. Studies show that with the increasing number of Americans unwilling to adopt, shelters will

become over-populated and euthanzations will continue. Shelters like Wayside Waifs have tried to end this. “We do euthanize, but only if the animal has an untreatable illness or they’re agressive and there is no chance of adoption,” Thomas said. Though animals are selectivly permitted into the shelter, other animals are not out of luck. The dogs that are not selected for Wayside Waifs are sent to other no-kill animal shelters. Wayside Waifs hasn’t had to worry about their facility space, though. On average, dogs are adopted within 14 days, allowing other animals to fill the empty space. The shelter’s success of over 5,343 adoptions in 2011 is partly due to their Animal Rights treatment plan. The plan keeps dogs and animals active, preventing mental illness while in the facility. “It all starts when the animals first come in,” Thomas said. “We’ve resecued 42 dogs from a puppy mill recently, and these animals are held in

a seperate area until shots are taken care of. Then we make sure they have food, water and enough space to move around. Once those things are settled, we make sure we have a new activity for them each day.” Thomas recognizes that keeping all the dogs entertained can be a hassel, even with a 65-member staff and volunteer pool of 1,100. “It takes 45 hours to get each dog walked once,” Thomas said. “But it’s all worth it; I possibly have the best job in the world.” Shelters across the country like Wayside Waifs have become vastly popular. Animals are, however, still roaming the streets, starving and living in horrid conditions. These animals usually aren’t spayed or neutered, which only increases the chances that they will be euthanized once taken in by animal shelters. Attitudes are changing, however, with the public arguing for pets not to die in shelters. Thomas was inspired to treat animals and help pets get adopted with a simple saying. “When you adopt, you’re saving two lives: The animal that you’re taking home and the animal who gets its kennel,” Thomas said.

“When you adopt, you’re saving two

lives: the animal that you’re taking home and the animal who

gets its kennel.”

[Reid This]

Reid EgglestonNews EditorWayside Waifs makes a commitment to give animals a new toy each day. Toys keep the animals mentally sharp and help stave off depression. Photo by Christin Smith.

Berkeley LovelaceFeature Editor

Animal Instinct

No-kill shelters become alternative to euthanization

It apparently costs $271 million to keep a school district running for five years. By Jan. 31, Blue

Valley voters will check ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as to whether they agree with this year’s proposed school bond, which would allow the district to raise that sum for technology, safety and facilities upkeep through a property tax. It’s nothing new—bonds for the district are renewed every half decade or so. But this is a banner year. Gov. Brownback has threatened to tighten state budgeting for schools, returning that responsibility back to the counties. Economic cuts for everything from safety measures to art programs loom. Overpopulated schools have become a possiblity as residents fill in the gaps in our area. What our district provides today might not be available five years down the line. It’s with this in mind that we must seriously consider the repercussions of not voting for necessary innovations. Think of the mark left by the 2005 bond, which allowed for the construction of three new schools, one of which was Blue Valley Southwest. By easing the strain on Blue Valley and Blue Valley West, students were dispersed more evenly per school, allowing the faculty to devote more time to individuals. Beyond this, SMART Boards improved the quality of math instruction, and our own school saw structural improvements with the addition of the Little Theater. Likewise, it’s important to turn a keen eye to the future. Encourage yourself and your parents to understand what this bond could mean for you and for your little brothers and sisters. Without it, a fair education hangs in the balance and academic opportunities may run cold for years ahead.

Bond battles budget

06 the north star sports 01.27.12

Sophomore girls propel team to stunning start

“Skate your heart out” Sisters revel in the adrenaline of competitive ice hockey

The air is chilly as they walk to the edge of the rink, preparing themselves for the adrenaline

that comes with the fast-paced game. They take a step and their blades hit the ice. With their jerseys on over their shoulder pads and their sticks in hand, they glide into their positions facing their opponents as the game begins. This is ice hockey and it is the sport of choice for Minnesota native sisters, freshman Ashley and sophomore Emily Antonenko. “Previously I’d figure skated, but it wasn’t really my thing,” Emily said. “My entire family played hockey, so I wanted to get into it instead of figure skating.” The sisters, who moved to Kansas from Minnesota this past summer, were both on their high school’s varsity ice hockey team. In Minnesota, ice hockey is arguably more

popular than basketball is in Kansas. “There are a lot fewer teams in Kansas and it’s much harder to find ice time,” Ashley said. “Here we have to practice with the boys and only twice a week, where in Minnesota it was every day.” Here, the girls play on a team at KC Ice Center a few times a month with girls from all over the Midwest.

Because the practices are infrequent, being on a

team in Kansas differs than in Minnesota.

“In Minnesota our teammates were like a family,” Emily said. “Here we don’t see

them as often.” Despite the lack of ice

time, the girls get in a lot of practice at home with the rest of

their family, who they enjoy playing with. “We have a tarp set up at our house

where we hit pucks to each other when we don’t get out to the rink,” Emily said. Hockey has always played a huge role in their family, the ice rink being almost like a second home to them. “I have three brothers and a sister. All of us played hockey growing up, except my sister. She actually excelled in figure skating,” Paul Antonenko, the girls’ father, said. “We spent lots of time at the rink every year.” This amount of time spent on the rink is necessary to keep up with the rigors of playing. There are many skills required to excel at hockey, both physically and mentally. “You learn many important life lessons. The importance of team work, physical fitness, mental toughness, determination and the importance of competing every day,” Paul said. “It is very much a skill game. It takes a tremendous

amount of dexterity and skill to execute the basics of the game:

skating, passing the puck and shooting.” Though these skills are an important aspect of the game, the athletes can’t get too caught up in it. Having

fun with the sport plays just as big of a role as the

tough parts. “[You] need to be

able to have fun in hockey. Someone is

always going to be better than you, and you’re going to have to push yourself, but that’s what I love about it,” Emily said. “It’s also a great feeling to go out and skate your heart out, and know that you have such great friends on the team doing it with you.” Hayley Berger

Staff Writer

David TauberSports Editor

It is difficult to pin the girls basketball squad’s success this season on a single player. Seniors

Kiarra Jones and Courtney Cook create a presence in the key, but it is the young guards, sophomore starters Bria Pierce, Maria Klug and Jordan Coleman breathing life into the team. Last year as freshmen, all three players were named honorable mentions for Eastern Kansas League play. “They are young and ‘hungry’ which makes them big contributors to the team,” Jones said. The three have matched up against each other in recent years outside the high school in AAU leagues, but enjoy coming together for the high school season. “It gets heated when me and Bria play against each other in AAU,” Klug said. “During the season, we gel.” Despite their underclassman status, the sophomores recognize the shift from school life to the basketball court. “When I’m on the court I’m a varsity

player,” Pierce said. With energy and enthusiasm, the three frequently force turnovers and even take fouls for the team. “I’m always fouling out,” Coleman said. “Sometimes the refs will call ticks and tacks, but you just have to roll with it.” Critics say the young talent suffers from sporadic play, but they have overcome those strings in most games. The team was ranked sixth in the state by the KBCA and MaxPreps with a 8-2 record before playing Bishop Miege on Jan. 24 and Northwest on Jan. 26. “When we win, we start getting more attention,” Fritz said. In the second round of the KA-MO tournament, Klug, Pierce and Coleman mounted a comeback in the second half against Olathe East in the second round, but were thwarted by misfortune at the free throw line. “It can be a challenge at times being an underclassman, but we always have the team to back us up when times get tough,” Coleman said. “We have a

really good chance to take this season all the way if we stay consistent and keep to our game. We just need to keep playing with heart and intensity.” Pierce says it is the heart and intensity that drives the trio to success. “Our chemistry is good. We play well together and are funny together off the court,” Pierce said. “We just feed off each other’s hyperness and energy.”

Sophomore Emily Antonenko (left) and sister Ashley (right) play on their old Minnesota hockey team.. Photos by Liz Antonenko.

This season the girls hope to earn a berth at the state tournament. One thing is for certain, though, down the road, the expectations are even higher. “We push each other to get better. I am expecting a lot of wins. We are going to work harder as a team. Our sophomore group will get better. Our bond will get better. We are going to have a solid three years,” Pierce said.

Sophomores Bria Pierce (left), Jordan Coleman (center) and Maria Klug (right) practice their basketball skills in the auxiliary gym. The girls have contributed to the Lady Mustangs’ success. Photo by Francine Gollub.

Athletes of the month: Bria Pierce, Maria Klug, Jordan Coleman

07the north star sports 01.27.12

“Intense. It’s intense.” Coach Ryan Phifer and senior guard Conner Crooker’s thoughts

echo each other. The North vs. Northwest rivalry has grown to epic proportions over the past few years. With both teams in the top three of the KC Star, KBCA and MaxPreps rankings, the ferocity of this rivalry is as heated as ever. “The last three seasons, this game has gotten bigger and bigger. Both teams have been successful in the regular season and postseason, and adding to the heat in the rivalry is that [Northwest] has two players that live in our attendance area,” Phifer said. The two Northwest players from the North area will make a difference, but not as much as the x factor–the crowd. Texas A&M calls the fans the 12th man, a sign of just how much of a difference a hostile, or encouraging, environment can make. “When the gym is packed and the fans are screaming, the adrenaline starts pumping and the atmosphere

GAME ONDeep

MeaningfulConversation

[Dave’s D.M.C]

A rush of WeightWatchers and Nutrisystem ads bombarded my television

after the new year. Bravo to the advertising executives, there is no better placement for weight-loss promotions than after the new year. Everyone vows to themselves, “I will eat healthier next year,” so why not subscribe to a meal plan? There is a simple answer: meal management as a means of weight-loss is a flawed practice. It is a Thanksgiving dinner without the turkey. Eating is easy. I either choose to scarf down my bag of potato chips after school or go hungry until dinner time. Diet programs provide consumers with small meals all-day, a healthier practice. Meal plan ineffectiveness is a common because caloric intake is insignificant in the grand scheme of health and body image. Exercise is instrumental in achieving weight-loss goals. Just as running three miles and downing two Chipotle burritos usually ends in bloating, dieting for three months with a sedentary lifestyle also reaps few health benefits. Weight-loss and health is a two-part equation. I am bothered when I hear New Year’s resolutions about simply eating healthier. It is unrealistic to believe we can undermine our teenage cravings or that we may achieve our ideal body image without exercise. In fact, fitness is central to a healthy lifestyle and viewed in a more positive light than “conscientious eating.” We can be the person who counts calories or the person who counts reps at the gym. I know my pick.

is incredible. In the Northwest game last year there were so many people. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I couldn’t even hear the play calls,” Crooker said. “The home game last year was one of the biggest games since I’ve been here,” Phifer said. “That is what high school basketball is all about. The fans take pride in the team and the team works harder and plays with heart for the school and the community.” The monumental game between these two basketball teams is not just a current phenomenon. Past North

players, including former standout Weston Ehlers, ’10, have expressed the passion of this deep-rooted rivalry. “A few of my favorite high school memories came about because of this rivalry. It always seemed like everyone played harder in that game. I looked forward to the Northwest games over any other games. I hate that school, so I always had a lot of fun [playing them], especially when we would win at their place,” Ehlers said. Winning at their place is the goal for Phifer and company tonight as the Mustangs travel to BVNW, hoping to maintain their untarnished record and establish a lead in the East Kansas League race for the state title. This game is as much of a challenge to the players on the court as it is to the fans in the stands. Show up at Northwest tonight at 7 p.m., outcheer the Huskies, and let’s see what the Mustangs can do in the next match of a colossal rivalry.

Bitter rivals clash as Mustangs face Huskies

Evan WatsonStaff Writer

“When the gym is packed and the fans are screaming, the adrenaline starts pumping and the

atmosphere is incredible... I’ve never experienced anything

like it.” David TauberSports Editor

Follow through on health resolutions

Senior Conner Crooker’s vision in running the offense has the Mustangs off to an unprecedented start. Photo by Christin Smith.

08 the north star sports 01.27.12

What’s the most popular sport in the world? Key word: world. Not in America, where baseball is the “national pastime” and Sundays are reserved for football. Worldwide, soccer is the most popular sport.

Unfortunately, few Americans know about the teams of the most followed league on the planet: the Barclays Premier League. But fear not, American sports fan, there is hope. You can figure out which Premier League squad to root for based on your American sports preferences. Follow this guide and you’ll be well on your way to rooting for Manchester United... or Blackburn.

Catch the European soccer feverWhich Barclays Premier League team should you follow?

You are a Yankees fan. You get to experience championships and marquee signings, and you also draw the ire and hatred of thousands for your commitment to a team that’s nearly always successful.

Manchester United’s big players, big paychecks and a big name mirror those of the Yankees. The high expectations can also lead to great disappointments, as even a small falter away from the team’s “championship every year” game plan is unacceptable. As a United fan, you will be guaranteed a solid team with great chances at the beginning of every year, but be aware of the “fair weather fan” label that you’re unlikely to shed for the rest of your life.

If a Man United fan likes the Yankees, then a Man City fan likes the Mets. The in-town rivalry applies, and City has played under United’s shadow for years, just like the Mets. But in some ways Manchester City is more

like the Miami Heat. Man City brings multiple superstars together through a big payroll, and then combines them in a squad in hopes that they gel together. This strategy can work, and it can also be an over-priced disaster. This year, City seems to have come together and is off to the best start in the league, just as the Heat has combined James, Wade and Bosh into a powerful force. But beware: come crunch time these teams can crumble into selfish, dejected complainers as quickly as they were put together.

If your name is Stephen Skiles or you love a high-powered offense, Arsenal is for you. Think the Kansas Chiefs of 2003 or the Phoenix Suns behind Steve Nash. Scoreless draws are never a problem, it’s the lack of

a defense that is concerning. The flowing, passing, aggressive style of offense that Arsenal plays is always entertaining. There’s never a dull moment. Don’t expect many championships, though. The Arsenal Gunners haven’t won any type of a cup since 2005, and that appears unlikely to change this year. But with a broad fan base and powerful offensive attack, the Gunners are vying for your attention.

Yes, Blackburn. You’re probably wondering how a team such as Blackburn makes it on this list next to the Manchester giants and the powerful Arsenal. That’s because the Blackburn Rovers are the Premier

League equivalent of your Kansas City Royals. Each year, dedicated fans set lofty expectations and raise their hopes for the upcoming season. And each year, the fans are disappointed and dejected. Both teams are capable of success, Blackburn won the league in 1995 and the Royals won in 1985, but success is infrequent, at best. In order to stay in your comfort zone, support the underdog Blackburn. So what if they don’t win all the time? If you’re a Royals fan, you can handle it.

Evan WatsonStaff Writer

Real or Fake? Can you spot which soccer teams are truly from the top two divisions in England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany?

1. Crystal Palace

2. Borussia Monchengladbach

3. Reading

4. Nottingham Forest

5. Queens Park Rangers

6. Nice

7. Nancy Lorraine

8. Paris Saint-Germain

9. Guingamp

10. Angers

11. Eintracht Barunschweig

12. Chelsea

13. Hercules

14. Stafford City

15. Atletico Barcelona

16. Lancaster City

17. Kidneypool

18. Lichenstein

Answers: 1-12 are real, 13-18 are fake

“Arsenal’s my favorite team because of their attack-minded offense and fluent passing. Right now my favorite Arsenal player is Robin Van Persie, and all-time it’d probably be Thierry Henry.”

–Stephen Skiles, social studies teacherAll images from creativecommons.org

09the north star sports 01.27.12

Students cash in for success

TENNIS SOCCERGOLF FOOTBALLBASEBALL BASKETBALL

What does it take to be good at a sport in today’s society? Talent, a strong work ethic and athleticism of course, but in

the world we live in, an equally important factor seems to be money. Money is a key to success in sports as everything from baseball bats to basketball

tournaments to tennis lessons to football camp to soccer club memberships to green fees can end up costing a fortune. The more one is willing to pay, the greater advantage that person will have over his or her peers. To find out exactly how much being good at a sport costs, we asked some of North’s varsity

athletes in six different sports how much it costs per year to play competitively in their sport. All of the costs are averages among all the athletes surveyed. All of the names will be withheld to protect the athletes’ privacy.

paid advertisement

$16,000

One object denotes $1,000

$3,000$10,000 $7,000$8,000 $1,000

Michael HoffmanOnline Editor

Photo illustrations by Ali Fallucca. All images from Creative Commons.

Creating your story at JCCC ...

“I’m growing as a person and a student at JCCC.”

Erika, StudentJohnson County Community College12345 College Blvd. | Overland Park, KS 66210913-469-8500 | www.jccc.edu“Like” JCCC at facebook.com/JCCC411

11The north star feature 01.27.12

We have 113 days until the senior class of 2012 graduates. Truthfully, I

haven’t felt any senioritis this year, but just like any other senior, I’ve been counting down the days until graduation. The counting, however, is not due to nail-bitting anticipation to leave high school, it’s just the opposite. Just as second semester began I realized it was the beginning of the end. And lately, I’ve been finding myself nostalgic and missing almost anything that will not be with me when I go to college. First semester, coping was far easier. Why would I need to worry? I had 80 days to turn the last of my college applications. I had 108 days until the inevitable process of final exams. I had at least 365 days until I would go to college and potentially never see many of my friends again. I had time on my side. College would be exciting; a new experience. And graduation was miles away. Thinking about it was insignificant. But here we are, it’s second semster-- now I have to think about it. I suddenly remember my job. This was my first job, that I’ve worked at for about a year and a half. It was 547 days worth of memories meeting diverse people, and having leg aches and back aches and headaches working nine hour days. After thinking of about my job, my brain will conjure up friends, family and it could continue. Missing things is understandable. Yet the act of sitting and remembering is getting in the way of experiencing the new frontiers ahead. I had to stop, get up and stop sulking. For those who are getting the two-sided coin of nostalgia, don’t waste the days away. Enjoy the last few months of high school and look forward.

Cling to old things

[Lovelace ties it together]

Berkeley LovelaceFeature EditorPhoto illustrations by Francine Gollub.

Follow the flow chart to find...Your inner nerd

The handy-dandy Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a nerd as “an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person, especially one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits.” Many self-proclaimed nerds reject this insulting label and instead subscribe to their own definitions and standards. Clayton Shuttleworth, senior,

is one such individual, who says that a nerd is one who “doesn’t do what is expected and loves something to an extreme degree. I love math, which I understand some people might think is weird...and I embrace that.” With pop culture starting to embrace nerdiness, there are plenty of things to “nerd-out” about besides math. So follow the flow chart to find your next nerd fix!

I play for the joy of smashing people!

Yeah...

No

Maybe

Which is more important to you?

Are you sentimental about everyday objects?

School Sports

Are you willing to read additional materials

outside of class...for FUN?Which is your ideal

Saturday night?

Why do you love sports the most?

Friends

Nope

I hate to break it to you, but you really aren’t that nerdy. Stick to

reality TV and Kardashian news and you should be fine.

Yep. All the time!

Do you feel compelled to show your love of certain books, movies, games, TV shows, etc. through your

choice of t-shirt?

No

Studying! What else is there to

do?

Hanging out with friends.

PAR-TAY! Featuring loud music and angry neighbors.

YesSometimes

Fact. Nothing beats physics. Fiction.

Lightsabers beat physics.

Do you prefer science fiction or

science fact?

What is science?

Yes

How do you feel about time travel?

Time travel would be the coolest thing

ever.

Do you enjoy helping third world countries and being

green?

Are you eagerly awaiting the day

you can fuse your being to a robotic

body?

No

Definitely Only for

NHS

I love reading

stats!

Why would I

want to time

travel?

Liz GaaEntertainment Editor

Collecting nerd “Big Bang Theory” Nerd

Nerdfighterlike Clayton Shuttleworth, senior

like Ken Taylor, CA teacher

like Abigail Cornelius, library media specialist

“Doctor Who” Nerdlike Rachel Strohkorb,

juniorFor those who don’t know: “I collect wall clocks, turtles and pennies.”Why you will love it: “Collecting things is an interesting, unique way to express yourself. Also, they make great college essays. Finding a home for my turtle Houdini was a perfect analogy for my going to college.”Favorite clock: “My toast clock because it was my first.

For those who don’t know: “‘Doctor Who’ is a British TV show about a time traveling alien who saves the world and the universe repeatedly.”Why you will love it: “When you find someone else who loves ‘Doctor Who’, their face lights up and you strike up an excellent conversation.”Epidode to watch: “The Christmas special. It’s awesome!”

For those who don’t know: “a Nerdfighter is someone who is a follower of two brothers, Hank and John Green, who post videos to Youtube.”Why you will love it: “The Vlog Brothers have their own music label and really try to make a difference in the world.”Episode to watch: “They have a ‘how to be a Nerdfighter’ video that explains it all.”

Why you will love the show: “Everyone knows a Sheldon, someone who is lovable but hard to deal with because of their idiosyncrasies.”Episode to watch: “The New Year’s Eve one (“The Justice League Recom-bination”). It’s hysterical. It really epitomizes the show and the characters.”

13the north star feature 01.27.1212 the north star feature 01.27.12

As Valentine’s Day approaches, most North students are worrying about sweetheart dates, not spouses. Not so for seniors CJ Gri!n

and Rymington Fulks. Gri!n proposed to Fulks, his girlfriend of six months, on Christmas morning of this year. “He had a letter that he read to me. "en he got on one knee in front of my dad and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes,” Fulks said. “"e ring was on the Christmas tree [disguised as an ornament] for a week, and I didn’t even notice it.” Fulks and Gri!n plan to be married a#er high school, but haven’t set a date. She’s from a small town in Western Kansas; he’s Wyandotte. "e unlikely couple’s story makes a refreshing alternative to the traditional Valentine’s Day tale.

WHERE THEY’RE FROM Fulks moved to Leawood last year from Parker, Kansas, where she attended a high school that served three towns combined: Parker, Lakin and Fontana. Even so, the school was tiny. “I tried making friends with people [when I

came to North], but when I talked to them they would look at me weird; they wouldn’t talk back to

me or they’d completely ignore me. So I $nally just gave up trying to talk to people. I de$nitely think it’s easier to make friends in smaller schools,” Fulks said.

Fulks said the practice of getting engaged in high school isn’t unusual in her hometown.

“"ere were a couple of my senior friends that had gotten engaged,” Fulks said. “But that was mostly because they were pregnant and they felt like it was the right idea.” Gri!n came to Leawood in his sixth grade year from a radically di%erent environment: Wyandotte County, Kan., an area known for its high crime rates and low incomes. He said that moving to Leawood was an enormous cultural change.

“When you’re coming from Wyandotte, you’re coming from drugs, sex everywhere, drinking, killings,” Gri!n said. “Up here I’ve never had to look over my shoulder. When

you’re down there you don’t want to step out at night. You hear gunshots or people talking—there’s always

something going on at night outside in Wyandotte.” Gri!n said his friends from Wyandotte haven’t been told about his engagement. “I don’t really talk to any of my friends in Wyandotte any more,” Gri!n said. “Most of my friends are locked up.” Problems followed Gri!n in his move to Leawood in the form of family trouble. In sixth grade, his father moved out of the house.

“[One] night my dad came home, and my mom had all his stu% packed up ready for him to take it outside and go. She didn’t want him in the house, so she had me take his stu% outside to his truck. I didn’t see him again until freshman year,” Gri!n said. He said the experience had a profound impact on him, but hasn’t cast doubt on his desire to start a family someday. “It’s hard when you don’t have a father $gure there to guide you when you have girl problems and you have problems at school. It was hard for me not to have a father $gure there to say ‘son, I’m proud of you,’” Gri!n said. “[But] my mom ended up remarrying and it was like a new start for me. [In the future] I’m going to give my kid everything that I never had. I’m gonna try to be the best dad that I can ever be, better than what my dad did for me.”

FALLING IN LOVE Gri!n and Fulks met in an Algebra II class when she $rst came to North. “We didn’t start talking till the third day of school, and then we [went] to the mixer together and...found we had a lot in common. "ere wasn’t really any set point when we started liking each other, it was just there,” Fulks said. For Gri!n, though, it was love at $rst sight. “"e $rst day I saw her, a#er class I walked up to all my friends and was like, ‘have you seen this girl?’” Gri!n said. “I don’t know what it was, but I really wanted to be with her. Like, she was so shy. And she was, you know, amazing. She had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen in my entire life.” Fulks said the engagement was a surprise, but that it didn’t seem sudden because she and Gri!n feel they’ve been together forever. “We had feelings like this for each other, and we’ve talked about getting married, but I didn’t know it was gonna be so soon,” Fulks said. “If you ask either one of us how long we’ve been together, we’ll have to think about it because it feels like we’ve been together so much longer. And it kind of helps that we’ve been living together for at least half of the time we’ve been together.” Gri!n moved in with Fulks’s family when he turned 18, wanting to get out of the house. Gri!n said his desire to propose came about as a result of being hospitalized for an evaluation requested by his mother, who was worried about his mental health. “It was weird, because I never had a girl on my mind this much. "e whole time [I was hospitalized], I was like, I gotta get out, because I gotta see Rymington,” Gri!n said. “"e day I got out, she ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug. It was the greatest feeling in the world. I knew that I’d give anything to have that

every day. And I knew that when I turned 18 I was going to buy that ring and ask her to marry me.” Even at the age of 18, neither Gri!n nor Fulks feels constrained by the prospect of being with one person for the rest of their lives. “I haven’t really thought about dating anybody else. "e feeling of liking somebody...other than CJ hasn’t come up,” Fulks said. “I look at other guys, and I don’t feel any attraction to them. Now as for CJ, I don’t know,” she laughed. Gri!n said his devotion to Fulks keeps thoughts of other girls far from his mind as well. “Rymington and I went to [the] mall and she had gone into a changing room, and this group of girls came up to me and they were like... do you have a girlfriend?” Gri!n said. “And I was like, actually, I’m engaged. And they walked o%. I was like, see you later. I don’t really want to talk to any other girl.” "e couple has encountered some opposition to their engagement, but they face it optimistically. “Maybe we are young, and if we make a mistake we make a mistake. We’re not worried about it, it’s just everybody else is worried about it,” Fulks said. Gri!n said his family is supportive. “My mom loves Rymington. She said that as long as [Rymington] makes me happy, she is all for the idea,” Gri!n said. “And I told my dad, because no matter what, I want my family to know that I’m getting engaged. "at’s important to me. I told all my friends at this school, because it’s something I can brag about, that I have this amazing woman in my life and she’s gonna be there for the rest of my life.”

"ough their early engagement is unusual, the couple’s long-term goals are like most other students’: college or a job, a house and kids. Fulks wants to attend Emporia State for nursing, and Gri!n may choose to attend Pittsburgh State for a mechanics or get a job at a local Pepsi plant. “I wanted to go to Emporia State, but CJ’s looking at Pitt State, and they have a good nursing program there too,” Fulks said. “I can easily just promote myself at Pepsi and be making more money than most people who get a college degree anyway. "at’ll provide for my family better,” Gri!n said. Fulks and Gri!n agreed that kids are in their future. “I know he wants kids, and I want kids, so if you go $ve or six years out...that’ll de$nitely come into play.,” Fulks said “I want a boy. Not gonna lie,” Gri!n said. “I’d preferably have a son because I could teach him so many things. I could teach him how to box, how to play football. I [wouldn’t] want to deal with boys...around a daughter.” "e two hope that, far from con$ning them, their engagement will enrich their lives. “We can still live life and be engaged. It’s not like it’s holding us back from living life,” Fulks said. “We both have dreams together. We both want to buy a house, we want a family,” Gri!n said. “But we gotta

take small steps. We’re both working together to get our dreams set

and ready for the

future.”

WHERE THEY’RE GOING

A di!erent kind of love story Seniors get engaged Jessi Glueck

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Sarah CampbellDesign Editor

14 the north star feature 01.27.12

“If I had the chance to relive my life all over again, I wouldn’t trade my journey

of battling cancer for anything in the world,” Julie Lindsay, the principal’s administrative assistant, said. Lindsay is one of the many people who answer phone calls and update announcements. It’s hard to believe that almost two-and-a-half years ago Lindsay’s chance of being here today was questionable. In 1988 Lindsay was diagnosed with adenosarcoma, a cancer originating in glandular tissue. Then in June 2010 she was diagnosed with liposarcoma, which was a result of the radiation treatment she received in 1988 when battling cancer for the first time. “There was only a one percent chance of me getting cancer through

the radiation treatment. I was that one percent,” Lindsay said. If battling cancer herself wasn’t bad enough, she has also lost her father, brother, sister and two aunts to cancer. As Lindsay’s cancer worsened,

so did her fear of not being with her husband and children. “Cancer scared me more the first time because my children at the time were much younger, and

I did not want to leave them. I still wanted to be a mom and get to watch my kids grow up. I feared leaving all my loved ones more than cancer itself,” Lindsay said. Regardless of her struggle to keep her health and family, Lindsay refuses to let her past battles with cancer define her or get in the way of her life.

“In 2010, due to my diagnosis and necessary treatment Dr. Merrigan and I decided to to let the whole BVN staff know about my cancer. But Dr. Merrigan and I wanted to make it very clear that when/ if I come back to work, I wanted to work on ‘only’ my work, basically not dwell on the fact that I had cancer,” Lindsay said. While cancer may have put Lindsay’s life on hold, it did not stop her from revisiting friends from her past and making every moment with her family memorable. “Through my cancer I have met so many great people. Some of the people I met were either diagnosed with cancer the same time I was, or they are currently battling cancer today. Through all the people I have encountered, I’ve been really amaized at how people are always so willing to help,” Lindsay said. But with every new acquaintance Lindsay made, it became harder to stay positive. “There are those people you meet that have lost their battle with cancer. Sometimes, cancer survivors go through what’s called survivor’s guilt,” Lindsay said. Survivors guilt is feeling guilty

“If I had the chance to relive my life all over again, I

wouldn’t trade my journey of battling

cancer for anything in the world.”

Battling cancer, keeping faith

about surviving your battle with cancer when someone else didn’t. On top of sometimes feeling guilty for being given another chance, Lindsay also went through medically induced depression. “I was on so much medication and treatment, it caused me to have very dramatic mood swings. I would go through periods of being manic and then one time I hit a wall of depression that got in the way of everything in my life. But, once I got my medication adjusted to the proper amount, my depression lifted,” Lindsay said. Lindsay’s wall of depression was short lived. It was also Lindsay’s faith that saved her life. “Faith plays a huge part in my life and has helped me fight my cancer. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer,” Lindsay said. Lindsay is currently a cancer survivor, with the exception of seeing the doctor every four months for testing. No matter how significant the cancer may be, Lindsay continues to live every moment as if it were her last.

Administrative assistant Julie Lindsay shows off a collection of her favorite animals, dolphins, that she has received from co-workers and friends during her illness. Photo by: Ali Falluca.

Olga DeckmanStaff Writer

15 the north star feature 01.27.12

Long before the average North student gets up, sophomore Eliza Schow is up at 4:45 a.m.

in order to be on time to her Mormon seminary. She does this by choice. “Church gives me good thoughts and puts me in a good mood,” Schow said. “I’ve noticed that if I’m cheerful others are cheerful. If I’m grumpy, how can I possibly expect anyone else to be cheerful?” In addition to Schow’s morning church activities, each night is consumed with homework and activities. These include taking and teaching violin and viola lessons, Scottish Highland dancing, community service and caring for her five younger siblings. Morals are important in Schow’s life. “I wanted to try out for Legally Blonde, but then I listened to their soundtrack. It was really raunchy, and I wouldn’t be comfortable singing it,” Schow said. “I wouldn’t be comfortable singing ‘Oh my gosh you guys,’ with the G-d word, or the bend and snap song; I wouldn’t want all my friends and family to come out and see me saying such things. Even if I were in the chorus, people would still associate me with what they were saying.” Something that does not concern Schow is popularity among her peers.

“I’m glad I’m not the queen bee. I have enough to worry about. I have my own small group of friends, and I love it. I don’t constantly have to work between friends [who are fighting]. A small group works well,” Schow said. Her modest, high-cut clothing is one way she expresses her sense of morality. “How I dress reflects on me. I don’t want boys looking down my shirt or for teachers’ opinions of me to be disminished,” Schow said. “I don’t want random people I don’t know to think I’m just some teen who texts all day long and doesn’t care about anything. First impressions are really important. I guess it also has to do with how I was raised.” Schow believes conservative dress leads to a more fulfilled lifestyle. “I’ve noticed that people who dress modestly date nice people. People who don’t really care what they look like are probably going to end up with relationship problems,” Schow said. Helping others is something that is important to Schow. One big way she contributes to the world is with a musical concert she, her friends and family conduct where donations of supplies or money are collected. The concert benefits Hatian people who are forced to live in the Dominican Republic and work on sugar cain

fields. “My dad is a doctor and he goes down there the week after spring break. They have no air conditioning or clean water and they wear rags for clothes,” Schow said. “It’s inspiring to see people trying to be grateful for

what they have.” Overall, Schow is happy with choices she makes and her way of life. “I haven’t loved every second every single day. I do have regrets. But overall I am happy with my life,” Schow said.

What’s right, not what’s popular

Rachel AndersonStaff Writer

Anew generation of literature is now literally at our fingertips: the e-reader. New e-readers

like the Kindle and the Nook have grown exponentially in popularity since they first hit the market in 2007. With their fancy touch screens and internet libraries, e-readers have many believing that this is the right way to get a book. A new question has been sparked in the hearts and minds of all book worms: should people buy an e-reader or stick with the old-fashioned book? Many people find comfort in getting lost in the stacks of hardcover romance novels and historical fictions in a bookstore with a good read. But

the beauty of the e-readers is that you can bring the bookstore home. For those concerned about accesability, the Kindle and Nook both have built-in wifi that allows the reader to browse a library consisting of millions of books, magazines and newspapers, allowing readers to have instant access to their favorite books. Amazon’s Kindle can hold up to 3,000 books at a time, making the weight of ones’ bookbag considerably lighter. These 7 ½ ounce wonders fit right into your purse or back pack without adding an extra five pounds. The adjustable text-size makes reading easy on the eyes, while the

pricetag makes it easy on the wallet (compared to buying books over a certain period of time) For those looking for that oh-so-special in store experience, various features on Barnes & Noble’s Nook include personalized book recomendations and access to public libraries. As high-tech and fancy as these e-readers are, there is simply nothing

Literature at our fingertips The newest eReaders battle it out

Ashley RubenStaff Writer

Sophomore Eliza Schow shares commitment to Mormon morality

quite like plopping down on a pillow-filled couch next to your dog and picking up the good ol’ one pound harcover classic.

Image from creativecommons.org.

Sophomore Eliza Schow participates in activities such as dancing, playing the violin and going to morning seminary. Photos by Francine Gollub.

16 the north star ads 01.27.12

17the north star entertainment 01.27.12

FISHING FOR THE BEST SUSHI IN KANSAS CITYDaunting yet delicious, there’s nothing quite like a well-cut slice of

raw fish. One of my personal favorites, this fresh and wonderous cuisine gives us Kansans a glimpse of seaside life despite being

landlocked in Leahood. Luckily for us, we’ve got a plethora of quality sushi houses and Japanese restaurants to satisfy any and all of our cravings. To help you with the quest of finding the most delectable sushi around, I took it upon myself as a food connoisseur to find the tastiest sushi for your hard-earned dollar. Alex Goldman

Co-Editor-in-Chief

For a kid on a budget, RA is the place to go. From 3 to 7 p.m. all week (Monday

through Saturday) you can get delicious sushi like a fresh spicy yellowtail roll for as little as $4. And these rolls definitely give you a bang for your buck; they don’t skimp on quality. They usually have 8 pieces, depending on which you get, but considering that these rolls average anywhere

from $7 to $10 at other restaurants, it’s probably the best sushi bargain you’ll find around these parts. Even the restaurant’s specialty roll, the Viva Las Vegas, is on the discounted menu for a few hours every day, and trust me, this one’s definitely worth the $7 price tag–keep in mind, it’s just a little too messy to be attractive date food. There are, however, two downsides. First, if you’re

looking for a quieter, intimate atmosphere, RA is a no-go. The restaurant blares music all night long, making it difficult to have any sort of easy and substantial conversation. Also, if you get stuck on a waitlist until happy hour is over, you don’t get the discounted prices. So, if you’re feeling like an early dinner grab a few friends and head over to the Park Place Shopping Center.

A BVN favorite for dances and birthday dinners, this well known teppanyaki

restaurant also makes some yummy sushi. A lovely quality of this particular restaurant is the friendliness of the sushi bar staff. If you’re feeling a bit bold, strike a conversation up with one of the guys making your sushi–they’re super helpful if you have any questions about

rolls or want a recommendation for something a little different. Though I’m definitely more of a raw sushi type of girl, one of the best rolls that Kyoto offers is their Crazy Monkey Roll. This roll with salmon, cream cheese and avocado is fried, tempura style, and then drizzled with a sweet eel sauce and a spicy mayo, making it a delicious combination of sweet, salty, savory and crunchy.

As far as prices go, it’s not quite as cheap as RA, but they do have happy hour prices every weekday from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. Even if you miss happy hour, prices are relatively reasonable if you only get a roll or two. And, if you live anywhere out south it’s at a pretty convenient location, so at least you’ll save some gas driving there.

If you’re a dedicated sushi fan, a trip to Kaiyo is worth taking. Often overlooked

because of its “off to the side” location in the little Camelot Court shopping center, this sushi gem is pretty authentic. The quiet husband and wife who own the place are the main sushi makers, and they do a good job. One of my personal favorites, the 007, combines raw salmon,

a teensy bit of lemon, jalapeno and cucumber for a superbly refreshing roll with a bit of a kick. Honestly, in all of my sushi eating over the years, I’ve never had a roll like it. Not only does Kaiyo make this specialty roll along with a few others, but they also make classic rolls like spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, California, etc. While this restaurant does take the cake for having non-sushi

dishes at reasonable prices (miso soup is $2), the rolls here costs a chunk of change. At least, the rolls that you can’t get at your average sushi house do. And, unfortunately, they don’t have happy hour. My advice? Save part of your paycheck and try it out, you won’t regret it.

KAIYO JAPANESE

RESTAURANT4308 W. 119th St.

Leawood

QUICK FIX:

If you’re feeling like a sushi snack and simply don’t have the time or patience to sit at a restaurant, you’ve got a few options. All over Kansas City, select supermarkets like Whole Foods, Trader Joes

and Dean and Deluca are known for having superbly yummy, pre-packaged sushi, carrying everything from the classic California roll to a crunchy shrimp tempura or spicy tuna. For an on-the-go meal, these three places are your best bets.

Weekday hours:11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m

(for lunch)

5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m (for dinner)

RA SUSHI11638 Ash Street

Leawood

Weekday hours:11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Staff ’s Pick:Viva Las Vegas

Staff ’s Pick:007 Roll

KYOTO SUSHI AND STEAK

6792 W. 135th St. Overland Park

Staff ’s Pick:Crazy Monkey Roll

Weekday hours:11 a.m. – 11 p.m.


18 the north star entertainment 01.27.12

B efore I even opened the book, I could’ve predicted its ending. When a canine is involved, the

conclusion is inevitable: the dog will die. I’m not a fan of dead dogs, so when I picked up “The Art of Racing in the Rain”, I had no intention of reading it cover-to-cover, but its unconventional way of telling a story instantly reeled me in. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” is told from the perspective of Enzo, a Golden Retriever intent on being reincarnated as a human. He spends his days watching Ayrton Senna racing highlights on TV and his nights enjoying the warmth of his family. The people that he cherishes most are his human friend Denny and his daughter Zoe. As Denny’s personal life and career unfold before Enzo’s eyes, the dog commentates with personal insight that is heartwarming and brutally honest. The novel begins with Enzo reflecting on his life. He’s an old dog. When Denny gets home from a long day of work, the once agile retriever

doesn’t even have the energy to greet him. Anyone that has ever owned a pet understands that looming feeling of dread that grows as your pet ages. Then Enzo flashes back to his birth. His days as a puppy are his fondest memories. When Denny adopts him, they become best friends. Enzo believes that nothing can come between them, until Denny falls in love and starts a

family. It’s that classic tale of friendship, but with a welcome twist. As Enzo slowly gets pushed aside, I truly felt bad for him. How could someone ignore such a lovable dog? The plot gets more complex as Denny clashes with his in-laws and pursues his career as a professional racecar driver. From beginning to end I found myself rooting for Denny and Enzo. The author, Garth Stein, writes with such passion that every character seemed real, as if each decision had an impact on my own life. The ending of the book taught me lessons about humanity that, strangely, could only be understood when told from a dog’s perspective. It wasn’t sad, but uplifting; thought-provoking, not depressing. Dogs often play a significant role in literature. They serve as comfort to the protagonists on their journey, as a

companion when the main character has none. The story of the friendship between a man and his dog in “The Art of Racing in the Rain” was unlike any I’d read before. Books never make me “feel”, and this one almost had me in tears. The novel now has its own spot on my bookshelf, as Enzo has a place in my heart.

EVIEWS

The best new tale of man’s best friend

The silent show goes on in “The Artist”

M usic swells in the darkened theatre. The voices of the violins

meld with the jazzy piano sounds issuing from the screen. The camera pans to the black-and-white image of a glamorous old movie theatre, its patrons decked in white gloves and glittering diamonds. They’re laughing at the images that flash across their own movie screen. But you can’t hear them. You’re in the midst of another age: the age of the silent film. You are in the world of “The Artist”. “The Artist”, directed by Michael Hazanavicius, is a silent movie about the art of silent movie-making. It recently won the Golden Globe award for Best Comedy. In it, an aging silent-movie star, George Valentin, is displaced by a young actress whom he has helped bring to fame as she turns to the exciting new world of the “talkies,” or movies with sound. Then the Depression hits, and as the actress, “Peppy,” skyrockets to stardom,

Valentin sinks into an alcohol-soaked underworld. Peppy’s love ultimately redeems him, and the magic of dance unites his old world with her new one. It’s a daring move to ask modern audiences to sit through an hour and 40 minutes devoid of dialogue. When we need to know what the characters are saying, a black screen with white print pops up long enough for viewers to read it. But it’s done without being intrusive, and there’s something relaxing about it. You don’t have to analyze tones of voice or struggle through heavy British accents (admit it, you didn’t catch everything the Harry Potter characters said). There’s plenty to keep your eyes interested, too: each shot is gorgeously arranged and the clothes are ‘20s glamour at its finest. Still, with no dialogue, there were a few points when I got impatient. Each time that happened, though, something unexpected drew me back into the story. The heroic dog saves the main character from suicide, or the

grand classical background music shifts to a candy-sweet rendition of “Pennies from Heaven.” Valentin makes you laugh in the midst of his distress, and Peppy shows surprising humanity from the heights of her stardom. “The Artist” is a real, old-fashioned show. Check it out to cheer you up one of these dreary winter afternoons.

Danny RosenbergStaff Writer

Jessi GlueckCo-Editor-in-Chief

This inspiring novel is available in paperback from the Barnes and Noble web site for $10.98.

“The Artist” invites you in with cheerful classiness that might just restore your faith in humanity – or even silent film.

R

19the north star entertainment 01.27.12

Stack nautical-themed bangles and bronze bracelets to turn a simple blazer and short ensemble into a vacation-ready outfit.

Throw on a boxy jacket in a neutral

tone over a pleated, floral mini for a cute and easy look that goes from day to night in a snap.

Scour vintage shops and estate sales for cool studs that give a worn and antiquey feel. Look for geometric shapes like square and 3D pyramids or bold color combos, like black and white and coral and gold.

Donning neon bright hot pants adds a

fresh take to a classic denim

shirt and chunky lace-

up booties.

A chunky, heeled platform boot adds mod appeal to an otherwise 90s style shoe. Strike an “IT” girl pose and see who notices these attention grabbing heels.

The Southwest trend of fall 2011 is back with a vengence. Sandy, rose or charcoal make a simple suede, fringed bag a modern cowgirl’s best friend. Aztec-inspired embroidery pumps up the volume and adds even more Southwest flare to this gem of a bag.

The oversized scarf can be dressed up or down to fit any style. Jeggings and boots for the casual wearer; stacked turquoise rings and a tight, black skirt are for the more adventurous girl.

With fashion week just around the corner and spring previews

popping up in stores and online, warm-weather’s bold new trends are simple, yet stunning. Replicate spring’s hottest looks with these easy and accessable pieces.

SPRING FASHION

PREVIEW

Lily LiebermanStaff Writer


20 the north star ads 01.27.12

Within the past few years, hoards of titles for cringe-worthy parenting styles

have become part of our vocabulary. We had solutions for the helicopter parents; ignore their friend requests on Facebook and their incessant whining about how we won’t accept them. We even found a way to avoid the dreaded “best friend” parent; start acting like the mature one and they tend to catch the hint. “Momagers,” or moms who try to manage their tots’ nonexistent careers, didn’t phase us. And just when we thought we were safe, a whole new crop of awkward popped up. Enter: “Parents on the Prowl”. This new species of parents is lurking in every hangout/restaurant/coffee shop that used to be considered our territory. Cougar moms and silver fox dads are taking over. These aforementioned public places, are increasingly targeting middle-aged singles, and essentially the

parents of many students at North. On the hunt for a future mate or other things we’d rather not discuss, Parents on the Prowl are naturally lured in by late-night hunting specials. Take for instance, Puma Wednesdays, Ra Sushi’s latest attempt to attract divorcees. Here’s one of Ra’s most recent ads:

Starting August 17, get your prowl on with Puma Wednesdays at RA Leawood. From 7-10PM, enjoy a tempting selection of food specials and all day drink specials that are sure to tantalize your senses all night long.

Besides the “ew factor” of this ad being off the charts, this is just plain embarrassing. At one time the spot for teenage fun, restaurants, coffee shops and clubs are becoming a place where parents can relive their past. This poses one of the most fundamental questions of the past decade. “Why do Americans refuse to

grow up?” Think of it as a bell curve. There’s a huge rush to grow up from birth to age 21, and once we reach that peak, we slowly begin to try to retain our youth. America’s obsession with youth is evident in Botox parties, TV series like The Real Housewives and now, “Puma Wednesdays.” The real issue is not that parents are dating again, or even that restaurants

New species found lurking in Johnson Countyare promoting innapropriate behavior. The issue at hand is our fear of getting older. And why shouldn’t we be afraid? If we all end up like our parents in the end, we, too, need to learn how to prowl. And learn fast, North students. You’re getting older every day.

Single mothers at local restaraunt 77 South mixed and mingled at the bar. Photo by Lily Lieberman.

Parents on the prowl

When I entered high school, I knew most of what to expect: rigorous classes,

high quality clubs, fun sports teams and, of course, high school dances. I underestimated, though, the all-powerful lordship that colleges and universities would exert over the high school experience; the unfairness of the whole college application system. From the moment a student enters high school,

college enters the student’s life. It’s easy to ignore at first, but the impact that colleges have on a student’s life continues to grow until it becomes gargantuan. Whether it’s doing community service, getting a poor grade, joining a club or posting a Facebook status, everything a student does is monitored by colleges. I can see why colleges would want to check-up on “prospective students,” but going to such extremes to find the “perfect student” is wrong. There is a specific mold of student that colleges are looking for, and some traits of this “perfect student” are impossible for many of us to obtain. Colleges like students who

are “leaders” and who “excel in many different areas.” So

unless you are the freak of nature who is the captain of the soccer team,

president of FBLA, vice-president of the Latin club and Editor-in-chief of the newspaper staff while still maintaining a 4.4 weighted GPA, a college will most likely select someone else who has done all of those things. Futhermore, colleges all but worship the three big standardized tests: the ACT, the SAT and the PSAT. If a student fails to do really well on these three tests, the student will have little chance to gain admission to the college of their choice. Just one generation ago, when our parents were going through college applications, it was much easier for the average American to both afford and get accepted to college. Back in 1980, the average annual tuition for all colleges was just $3,000. In comparison, the current average tuition of a public college is $21,000, and private college is $42,000. So what changed? Expectations.

Colleges expect more of our generation than they expected of any previous generation. Why else would they do everything short of reading diaries to keep tabs on what students from the moment they start high school to the moment they graduate? They believe it is fair to hold a magnifying glass over our lives so that every minor detail stands out. They believe that aptitude rather than work ethic is the important factor in finding the “perfect student.” They believe that raising their tuition rates is fair for middle class families who still don’t receive financial aid. Well, here’s what I believe: this search for the “perfect student” destroys the high school experience and, even worse, cheats the vast majority of students out of the American Dream.

Colleges’ unfair expectations hinder studentsIntrusion of the worst kind

Students constantly worry about their collegiate futures while still in high school. Illustration by Ali Fallucca. Michael Hoffman

Online Editor

21the north star opinion 01.27.12

Lily LiebermanStaff Writer

22 the north star opinion 01.27.12

QUESTIONS ARISE FROM PARKING LOT POLICiES

This investigation originated as a conversation between the two of us: debating whether

the parking-lot segregation was unjust. Deciding to base our opinions in fact, we embarked on a quest for truth. We asked a range of people for answers so we could draw our own conclusions, but on our journey, we sifted through multiple conflicting stories.

Berkeley LovelaceFeature Editor


Parking lot segregation

Underclassmen have looked forward to the day when they

have the privilege of prime parking in the coveted senior lot. Questions about the parking policies still loom, as there could be the potential for over-selling parking passes. How are the parking passes distributed? How does the administration keep track of how may passes are purchased compared to how many spots are left? Campus officer Jeff Demerath explained the process. “We keep all the parking passes [that are] purchased documented,” Demerath said. Afterward, we wanted to get information on how many parking spaces are in the lot. We could then see how the parking spaces are distributed among grades. BVN bookkeper LindaKaphingst said the parking was first-come, first-served. But if that were true, the specialized grade parking-passes wouldn’t be necessary. According to principal Dr. Tonya Merrigan, the parking-lot is segregated by grade. Seniors are the first ones able to purchase parking passes, followed by juniors. Then, if at all possible, the sophomores go through the process to get a parking

694

pass. According to Assistant Principal Shannon Adams, who approves parking permission, there is a computerized system that keeps track of how many passes are distributed to prevent over-populating the lot. However, parking permission can go over the limited capacity.

Punishments for parking and vandalizing

Earlier in the year, there was parking lot drama after some

students found their cars written on. According to students, these messages were scrawled on the cars of juniors who parked in the senior area. Officer Demerath said the incidents were never investigated, meaning there would be no consequences. It seemed odd that such disregard for the property and rights of others could be ignored. Dr. Merrigan explained the details. “If a student reports to the administration, we do make an effort to find who’s responsible,” Merrigan said. “The notion that we do not investigate further is incorrect. If there is an inappropriate message written on a student’s vehicle, we will wipe it off. The consequences depend on the severity of it. The person responsible would have to deal with school repercussions and legal repercussions.”

Empty parking spaces

Students have been ticketed for parking in the morning along

a row of empty parking spaces. Many have questioned the reason. It all started last year when students returning from morning CAPS sessions were unable to find parking

spaces. After assessing the problem, the administration added a row of spaces specifically for these students. Despite the signs clearly marking them as reserved, many students have been parking in the spots in the morning, leaving those with proper clearance unable to park.

Analysis

Seniors are given many privileges. From senior study halls to the

senior locker areas and senior seating, it feels like they get the best of everything, even without the boon of prime parking. And for what-not dropping out? Surviving high school the longest? It seems odd that the virtue of being a few months older is sufficient to gain so much entitlement. The parking lot would be the easiest place to change, by allowing any student that has paid the same amount of money as every other student in the district for a parking pass to park anywhere. Communication with the administration and students needs to be more clear. While we were looking for answers, it seemed no one was on the same page on parking polices, from “segregated” parking to vandalism. Even the number of parking permits that had been sold was hard to track down. If there is to be better communication, fewer tickets and less confusion, a coordinated policy is essential.

28Students qualify for

the sectioned off

CAPS parking lot.

Otherwise, parking

in those spaces is not

allowed.

651The approximate number of spaces

available for students to park in, according to

old parking lot blueprints.

Parking passes that have been

issued.

$10,410proceeds this year from the sale of parking passes. This money is added to that made from all the district lots and pays for expenses like ice removal.

Photo by Berkeley Lovelace and Liz Gaa.

Parking lot figures

23the north star opinion 01.27.12

[Gold from Goldman]

Over the course of the past few weeks, two legislative bills regarding the Internet have popped into the news: the Stop Online

Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA), both of which intend to help big corporate execs and their clients protect their “intellectual property” online. While the bills’ intentions are legitimate, the repercussions of what could happen if these bills actually passed would be unthinkable. For all of the Wikipedia addicts out there who witnessed the one-day shutdown of the site, you experienced just how pervasive this kind of information sharing is to our culture. People have been putting up quite a fuss about it ever since it hit online news boards. However, what caused the craze to jump on the anti-SOPA/PIPA bandwagon? In 2010, a bill called the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA) tried to do the same thing, but where was the “Occupy Wall Street”-esque attitude back then? To be honest, it seemed like nobody really cared about the passage of SOPA and PIPA, minus a few hardcore politics junkies. That is, until it hit Facebook. When the first few original politics junkies posted protest links and fuming statuses that started clogging up our minifeeds, people began to consider the possibilities. What would the world be like if we couldn’t download music through torrent websites or enjoy awkward videos of lip syncing on YouTube? I know it’s all the rage to get worked up over this legislation, but please, don’t do it just because 159 of your friends changed their profile pictures to a “stop SOPA” icon. The uncensored Internet is supposed to keep us informed and educated about issues like this, not turn them into trends. Otherwise the free information and access that we’re fighting for becomes a mockery of itself as kids take the easy way out and “like” another status.

[The Gluecktionary]

I’ve never been sure what my opinion was on serious, spend-the-rest-of-your-life-together high school relationships. In general, I used

to think that people overestimate their capacity to make major decisions about love while they’re teens. I know I couldn’t. If you’d asked me before I wrote this month’s article on CJ Griffin and Rymington Fulks, I would have said I thought high school engagements were limiting, scary and frankly kind of weird. And as long as we’re being frank, Griffin and Fulks’s life goals might have struck me as limiting not so long ago, too. The idea of not going to college, as Griffin may choose to do, would worry me: how could anyone possibly know enough after high school to enter the real world? Fulks and Griffin agreed that in five or six years they might want kids. I don’t even want to think about that for another decade. As I interviewed the couple, though, I realized something: I was the limited one. I was so absorbed in my own goals and my own definition of happiness that I’d refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of other peoples’ dreams. I think I’m not the only one who’s experienced this. Many of us want to go to college, have long, lucrative careers, and get married only after we’ve accomplished everything else as a prelude to settling down. Our school focuses on “college readiness,” not job readiness, and our friends spend their winter breaks feverishly completing apps and scholarship requests, not planning weddings. But you know what? That lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Success and love come in all kinds of forms. As we approach Valentine’s Day this year, let’s take the opportunity to show respect for the various kinds of love that surround us, whether that’s love of an activity or love of a boyfriend or love of a fiancee or love of a friend. There are no wrong answers in the search for what makes each of us happy.

No wrong answersCopy cats

Jessi GlueckCo-Editor-in-Chief

Alex GoldmanCo-Editor-in-Chief

This winter has been one of the mildest ones on record. We didn’t have a white Christmas, temperatures have sunk into the

teens on a few occasions, officially less than half an inch of snow has found its way to the ground, and the sun has shone for most of the season. I’ve even been able to drive my convertible ’98 VW Cabrio with the top down on a couple of exceptionally lovely days. Call me crazy, but I’m tired of the constantly mild weather. I need snow. I thought it would be great to skip the never-ending Midwest winter, when day after day is freezing and gray, and the beautiful snow goes from pristine white to gray sludge in roughly an hour and a half. Having a shortened sentence behind the prison-bars of cold is nice, but the lack of winter has left a hole in my year that I can’t seem to fill. I miss waking up to a fresh layer of white or walking out of school into a torrent of snow. I want to bundle up and frolic around catching snowflakes on my tongue. I need to build a snowman and have at least one epic snowball fight with my little sister. As we get closer and closer to March, my window of opportunity for doing all of these things becomes smaller and smaller. Already it looks as if there are buds on the early-blooming trees, and there are evening rainstorms reminiscent of those April showers that bring May flowers. At some point we have all complained about the frigid temperatures and piles of snow that generally accompany winter. I remember at this time last year, I would have done almost anything to get rid of the infernal snow. But now it seems that the old proverb “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone” holds true, as I need snow. ASAP.

[Going GaaGaa]

Where’s winter?


CupcakesEllie’s

OPENWe’re

Frosting:4 cups heavy whipping cream2 cups confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on low speed to combine, then higher speed until stiff peaks form. When done, it’ll look like whipped cream. Be careful not to overmix! This recipe can be altered to make any amount. The formula is one part powdered sugar to two parts heavy whipping cream. Alter vanilla accordingly.

Directions:

To make the cupcakes, line a 12-hole standard muf�n tin with baking cups. Mix one box of Betty Crocker Vanilla SuperMoist cake mix according to the package instructions, adding an extra 2 tablespoons of oil. (This will keep the cake moister.) Bake according to instructions.

Caramel Apple Cupcake Mix:

1 12-oz can apple pie �lling3 tablespoons caramel sauce (the type you’d pour over ice cream is �ne)½ teaspoon cinnamon1 teaspoon sugar

Filling:

If the chunks of apple in the �lling you chose are large, chop them so they’re �nely chopped. Put the �lling in the bowl, without the juices. Add the carmel, cinnamon, and sugar, and stir.

Directions:

Cupcakeries are popping up everywhere. These cute storefronts serve up beautifully decorated treats for $3, and sometimes more, a cupcake. The confec-tions can prove to be an expensive habit. However, by mastering a basic cake recipe, throwing in a few frostings and garnishes, and the rare �lling, you can turn your own kitchen into a one-person bakery operation and impress friends and family on a budget. So pick up a box of cake mix, (yes, we use cake mix), grab your oven mits, and get started! These treats are too good not to try yourself.

To try out more great cupcake recepies like Chocolate Truf�e, Strawyberry Shortcake, and Vanilla with Salted Buttercream, visit our website at www.bvnnews.com or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/thenorthstaronline .

Using a grapefruit spoon (those scary looking spoons with serated edges), cut a hole in the middle of each cupcake, creating a well for the �lling to go into. Scoop the extra cake out, then �ll and frost as desired.

24 the north star as we see it 01.27.12

january issue 2012

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