PAWPRINT

Kansas City Chistian School

Prairie Village, Kan.

Volume 4 Issue 1Dec. 16, 2014

The importance of fine arts and why they should

not fizzle out

Champions Special Ministries touches the lives

of all involved

Explore Kansas City’s cultural renaissance from cow town to coffee town

WHAT’S INSIDE... Paw Print StaffOlivia MadderomEditor-in-chief

Alyssa ElliottCopy Editor

Derrick CookStaff Writer

Jake FieldsStaff Writer

Turner JonesPhoto Editor

Gray BohlenderOnline Editor

Caroline NicholsStaff Writer

Kylie BriggsAdviser

Jacob ButlerStaff Writer

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14

table of contents | 2

TOC Carrie Revised.indd 1 12/9/14 5:14 PM

feature | 3

By Jacob Butler

Top Grossing

Filmsof 2014Ratings and Reviews

Guardians of the

Galaxy

Transformers: age of

extinction

malEficent x-men: days of

future past

the hunger games: mockingjay pt. 1

Captain america: the

winter soldier

The lego movie

dawn of the planet of

the apes

Student score

Student score

Student score Student score Student score

Student score

Student scoreStudent score

Paw Print staff score

Paw Print staff score

Paw Print staff score Paw Print staff score Paw Print staff score

Paw Print staff score

Paw Print staff scorePaw Print staff score

Metacritic score

Metacritic score

Metacritic score Metacritic score Metacritic score

Metacritic score

Metacritic scoreMetacritic score

90%

61%

61% 78% 65%

70%

69%90%

92%

44%

83% 87% 45%

35%

82%92%

76%

32%

56% 74% 64%

79%

83%76%

What you said

What you said

What you said What you said What you said

What you said

What you saidWhat you said

“It was super funny. Without a doubt one of the best films of the year.” -senior Joseph High

“Best. Movie. Ever.”-sophomore Hannah Peterson

“It’s all about big robots and girls.” -senior Arthur Beck

“Just stop trying, Michael Bay.”-freshman Will Fogel

“Had the most interesting character development, and made you feel for the villain.” -junior Rose Campbell

“I thought it was entertaining but kind of dark for a Disney movie.” -senior Brooke Robertson.

“It turned out better than I originally thought it would be.” -senior Turner Jones

“Healed the botched canon of X-Men movies. Good action, funny, and a blast to the past.” -senior Jake Fields

“To be honest, Mockingjay was the most boring book, but they did an amazing job on the movie.” -sophomore Jake Linville

“She looked like an alien. Awful acting,” senior Matthew Horner

“Flat-out awesomeness! Better than the first one.” -senior Bailey Bosworth

“Apes shouldn’t be able to talk.” -senior Luke Streeter

I loved the message and all of the colorful characters.” -sophomore Nora Dooley

“Everything was not awesome.”-senior Katelyn Holst

“Wasn’t super original in comparison to the comics, but it was still an epic movie with interesting implications for future Marvel movies.” -senior Alyssa Elliott

“It was good but not as good as the first. I was kind of disappointed.”-sophomore Patrick Lague

03 Olivia .indd 1 12/10/14 9:20 AM

4 | opinion

an opinionby Alyssa Elliott

Copy Editor

an opinionby Jake Fields

Staff Writer

onotony is mundane and adventure unconventional.In a world where we live moment to moment in a methodical

habit, we ought to strive to break out and seek adventure... ...but let’s be honest here. Gandalf isn’t likely to come knocking on my door anytime soon; I’ve passed the age where I ought to have received my Hogwarts letter; and no matter how many times I open my closet, Narnia isn’t there. Adventure seems to have skipped over

me and landed on characters who live in a world in which I do not have the fortune to exist. However, adventure is more than traveling by foot across the known world to defeat a dragon, going to wizarding school, or saving a world from an eternal winter. It’s breaking out of the

cycle we creatures of habit have created and doing something exciting. Exploring a city, climbing a mountain, traveling

the world, all of these things are adventures. Anything new is an adventure, be it as dramatic as the former list or perhaps simply sitting at a coffee shop and observing the chaotic calm of the caffeinated paradise. We think that because all of these grand adventures only happen in stories that we are exempt from participating, but that’s not the case. It cannot be forgotten that fairy tales stem from the minds of those who have the same desire as us to go on dramatic escapades. Tolkien likely would have leapt at the opportunity to visit the Shire, Rowling could have been the best Muggle Studies teacher ever and in all honesty, Lewis probably would not have shied away from the discovery that his wardrobe led to another world. When we don’t put forth any effort to make our lives a little more interesting, there isn’t anyone to blame for our boredom other than ourselves. The monotony of our lives is mundane, and to the creative mind, stagnation is like a disease. We have given into habit and let excitement slip out of our hands, making adventure unconventional and bizarre. You may now ask, what is the cure to our self-induced madness of dreariness? We just have to look for excitement and so, in the words of Albus Dumbledore:“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.”

his will affect you, regardless of who you are, what your age is, or how aware you are. The contents of this minor article, in this simple

high school paper, highlight a year that more than likely changed your future forever. 2014 is important and with the year winding down, retrospect is well in order. 2014 was big, that’s undeniable. Every year has big scientific leaps and as time progresses they become more significant because technology and science itself grows. From landing a probe on a moving comet, to strong strides in disease studies such as Ebola or HIV, to new feats of robotics, inventions are becoming greater and more mind blowing in the ways they make our everyday lives more like old science-fiction films. The people of 2014 also seem to have a inept sense that this year has been big. They have started to realize wrongs against them and have started to speak out more than we have ever recently seen: the protests in Ferguson,

Hong Kong students fighting for democracy, riots in Mexico over the missing students. All these protests are from brave, everyday people seeking justice against those who have abused the power they wield. Women are growing in voice with views of conceptual feminism and have made monumental strides by being granted permission to take the role of bishops in The Church of England. And, abortion arguments in America have made headway with an end in view. The LGBTQ spectrum has fought for the right to be able to be who they are more than any other year of the past. The sports world has seen a riveting World Cup, giving a scope of the clash between modern and native culture. The Sochi Olympics shed light on the condition of Russia. All of these events have caused 2014 to be the year that it is. Worldwide, a lot has happened and everyone has their own 2014 stories. The only thing I’m only more excited for is its remaining days and what 2015 will bring.

M

T

In the words of Albus Dumbedore

2014 in retrospect

“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.”

ello, my name is Gray Bohlender. I’m a 17-year-old and have a serious problem with identifying #brands.

Brands have been marketing atrocities since the rise of corporation, but #brands, stylized with the Internet’s ubiquitous hashtag, are new players in the game. They are combinations of a company’s reach, clout, format and personality. #Brands create a social footprint that seems more like a digitized-comic persona than vague corporations. They are commonly dad jokes, and quick vacations to Weird Twitter, and quirky interactions with customers, and they very well could be the most intimate connection that @DuckDontStop will ever have to an @DennysDiner executive. Me, though, I am a #brand, too. I am @GrayBohlender, Tumblr’s Least Known Internetboy. Carrying my all-lower-case stylization, humble motto and quirky, dry humor across platforms like Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram has made an @GrayBohlender post identifiable.

Whether it be a picture of a lonely campfire or tweet about how much I hate AP Lit, someone familiar with my personal #brand will have a much easier time identifying it as me. You’re a #brand, too, Miss #VSCOPERFECT. Everyone, heck, everything is a #brand whether expansive or private among your friends. #Brands aren’t limited to corporations, popular individuals or even the Internet. They are whatever makes you into @you. In a sentence, #brands have eliminated the gap between individuals and corporations. While that’s helpful for those begging for anonymity online, it takes the personable structure out of social media. The same thing that has made @Dubstep4Dads and @Dominos an even platform to push trendy content and further their #brands has absolutely destroyed slower, less relevant #brands like @Walmart. Completely independent from how one’s business or relations are fluxing, their #brand determines the way they are looked at and talked about.

opinion | 5

staff editorial

an opinionby Carrie Nichols

Staff Writer

H

Where did the spirit go?

Everything is a #brand

As students we walk the halls day after day, just trying to make it to the end of the week, then month, and eventually year. We cross our fingers that people will like us. We strive be “cool,” making us hesitant to step outside of the mold and be more unique than what our peers think is A-1. But what has this attitude done to us? It has sucked out all of the school spirit that could be energizing the school. We have lost the adventurous souls. The ones that aren’t afraid to stand up in front of the student body and start something new. The ones that might have to go against the

W

grain, but end up leading the pack. The ones that have school pride and are not afraid to show it. We have lost the very thing that can bind us together through the four years we share. KCC has been on a constant decline of school spirit. People simply do not care. No one goes to support the teams, they don’t bother to be enthusiastic about the dances, and they couldn’t care less whether or not it’s spirit week. Because to them, if not everyone is doing it and making it cool, then forget about it. No one wants to be that kid that stands out for being different. Everyone simply falls in line with the rest and waits, hoping that someone else will bring the fun. We need to break out of this “dull student” tragedy! We could enjoy our high school experience so much more if we just chose to have fun. So, to all of those adventurous souls and mold breakers out there, I commend you and encourage you to keep at. Eventually, the rest of us will realize what we are missing.

an opinionby Gray Bohlender

Online Editor

Fine arts under-stressed in schools Two semesters. That is the furthest fine arts students can go. Having taken the prerequisite, design fundamentals, which was this year trimmed down to a semester, a student potentially can be finished with a fine art before sophomore year is over. With the national stress on lucrative careers, the educational system is pushing students to focus on core classes. This trend of de-emphasizing the arts results in a loss of individual expression among students. We, as a staff, believe that KCC should emphasize the fine arts more. Fortunately, KCC offers several fine arts options. The visual arts program has expanded, offering more disciplines. The music program offers four choices. Students can also take play production, journalism, or yearbook. But the shortening of prerequisites and the lack of flexibility for those who want to advance in a particular visual art makes schedules feel limiting. Especially for students who want to further their creative passion into a career, the options seem to have decreased. Granted, some obstacles are out of the school’s control. Facilities are limited. The music department has seen four different teachers in three years, making it difficult to build the program to its potential. Administration has tried to combat obstacles by offering more independent study opportunities. To emphasize the arts more, KCC could include creative projects in core classes, aiding tactile learners and promoting creativity within differing fields, or offer field trips to places like the symphony to further students’ interest. Above all, administration should continue to look for ways to expand the department through more upper-level fine arts classes and brand-new classes, like photography or jewelry making. In the end, fine arts are just as important as other classes. Schools should encourage a more creative environment, where students feel the ability to express themselves artistically.

e have lost something that is valuable.

6 | feature

The red carpet is out, leaders are screaming and cheering as more kids walk through the door. To the kids, this is one of the best times of their lives: others are cheering for them and looking to them as an equal. After witnessing the red carpet entrance, a parent of twin children with Autism pulls Champions Special Ministries founder Alison Gromer aside. “Alison, this is what Heaven is going to be like,” the parent says. Champions is a program that works in conjunction with churches and communities to

provide programming and day camps for those in the Special Needs community. Gromer’s passion for the ministry comes from her niece who has Rett Syndrome. Gromer finished college with a degree in Special Education and then worked on staff at Colonial Presbyterian Church for five years to establish a Special Needs ministry. Champions has been growing consistently each year. During the programs, each volunteer is paired with a camper for the extent of the camp. The goal and objective of Champions is for there to be a sense of equality. Gromer describes it as something Christ would want us to do. While Christ was here on earth, he did not segregate because of disabilities. “I would encourage you guys to know that,

Derrick Cook Staff Writer

Champions stresses equality, all created in image of God

Upon arrival, all Champions are greeted by a red carpet,

cheering, and high-fives from workers and other Champions.

A Champion smiles as he interacts with a service dog.

feature | 7

even though [people] may have an intellectual or physical disability, that they were created in God’s image just like you and I were,” Gromer said. “They need to be a part of the body of Christ and they have life to offer.” The summer day camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. “It is a true missions experience,” Gromer said. During the school year there is Night of the Champions and a Spring Break Camp. Juniors Nate Ward and Bryce Johnston have participated in these events. “With Champions, for the most part, I usually get some of the more difficult campers,” Ward said. “This summer I had a 11-year-old guy who was nonverbal and really just didn’t want to do much. At the end of one of the very long days he had a meltdown and was crying and hitting people. During that time I remember thinking about how even though this seems awful (which it was), it wasn’t that much different than the way a typical kid reacts to a long day. He was just expressing himself in the only way he knew how, for him that was hitting. For a typical kid it would be yelling or something like that. It really made me realize that even though he was different, he really wasn’t that different.” In addition to this, Ward has an even more personal connection to the ministry. “Personally, growing up with an autistic sister, being around Special Needs has never really been a strange thing,” Ward said. “It did used to feel like my family was the only one with that situation. It used to be hard for me to find value in her because she can’t do much. With working with Champions, I’ve come to realize what an amazing person she is, and even with her limitations she is a very uniquely wonderful person.”

The ministry affects both the campers and volunteer leaders. “I have definitely gotten a lot more out of Champions than I can ever put into words. The joy that each camper has is just indescribable,” Johnston said. “The first time I went to one of the Champions nights I got to hang out with a camper named Jacob. Even though he just met me, he treated me as if I was his best friend. I had never experienced such openness from another person before, and it was so great to get to know him over the course of the night. I would later find out that he was quite the ladies’ man, and his interactions with the girls at Champions are some of the most hilarious moments that I can remember.”

This summer there will be camps at Lenexa Christian Center on July 13-17 and at First United Church on July 20-24 in Liberty, Mo. Gromer encourages everyone to follow the dreams that God gives you. “When I started this it was kind of a big deal to step out in innocence and faith to start this. It is not a career, it is a ministry,” Gromer said. Anyone who is interested in volunteering with Champions Special Ministries can find more information at www.championsspecialministries.org. The ministry is particularly looking for senior class male volunteers for the summer.

“It really made me realize that even though he was different, he really wasn’t that different.”

Champions founder Alison Gromer poses with a Champion during the Tulsa day camp. During the Kansas City day camp, a Champion shares a smile during the group game time.

All photos courtesy of Alison Gromer

8 | feature

feature | 9

Exploring Kansas City’s Cultural RenaissanceGray Bohlender

Online Editor

Just south of Kansas City’s downtown is a hill. From the top of the hill, you can see the whole cityscape, from the Bartle Hall Pylons to the Kauffman Center, from the 14 buildings that front our beautiful Midwestern sunsets to small coffee shops. More importantly, though, you can see cars race back and forth down Highway 71, filled with people coming and going to and from their homes and jobs downtown. As cars flood into the skyline, it’s hard to not think of the contribution that the drivers are making to the city - from the lattes that they pour to the contracts that they sign. It’s a wonderful feeling of community that you get on top of that hill, like the whole city is people watching with you. The best part of that hill is how Kansas City has grown up right in front of it. In the early 1800s, French fur traders set up camp just south. As developers came to the area, they set up a downtown street grid with its southernmost boundary at the bottom of the hill. By the 1890s, just a few buildings had created a lonely skyline, but Kansas City was still mostly agricultural and very reliant on livestock. Over the first half on the 20th-century, though, it had built up a viable skyline for itself. Corporate Kansas City was very real by the dawn of the century and the city had a name for itself outside of the farming community. Sprint, Hallmark and even the Nazarene Church had all decided to call Kansas City home, and it was finally on the map. In the last decade and a half, Kansas City and its suburbs have definitely given themselves a third upper-hand: a cultured, artistic urban core. Brands like Bunker and Baldwin have based a majority of their portfolios on the city’s four-letter acronym, “KCMO”. Coffee shops like Parisi, The Filling Station and Thou Mayest have been nationally-celebrated as some of the country’s best. C&C Drums and JHS Pedal Company have made equipment for bands like the Blue Man Group, U2, and

Switchfoot while BandwagonMerch has now been managing known indie brands for years. Companies like this have been representing Kansas City to the world recently, putting the city in a unique position of representing a cross-coast culture in the heart of the Midwest. “I feel like Kansas City, and particularly Westport, has gone through a huge transformation for the better in the last few years,” Bunker owner Kurt Scholla said, “I like to call it Kansas City’s Renaissance. A few years ago outsiders, as well as many Kansas City natives viewed the city as an afterthought. Recently, that has all changed. There has been a huge upsurge in Kansas City pride. You can see this in the Kansas City-made products we personally sell as well as in other areas like food and sports. Kansas City is now on the map and people are noticing.” Other than to a certain, sort-of downtown hipster, this cultural renaissance has gone mostly unnoticed for years. For the most part, Kansas City kids have grown-up under the umbrella of thought that they live in a boring city with nothing to do, but since 2012 a subtle, local excitement has seemed to have taken off. It seems that everyone is flannel-clad at this point, listening to some sort of indie-rock as they look for something to be excited about, and lately, Kansas City has been that ‘something’. More than a trend, though, people are basing their families, homes, and beliefs off of the idea that Kansas City is truly the best city in the world. They’re starting lives here, and legacies. That’s really cool. “[Kansas City] used to be a deadbeat town,” longtime-resident Rich Wylie said. “While I was growing up, we used to look up to cities like New York and Chicago for culture. I would have never told you in a million years that culture would be found in Kansas City’s own introspection.” Now, as we approach the end of 2014, “Kansas City’s Renaissance” is a focal topic

“I would have never told you in a million years that culture would be found in Kansas City’s own

introspection.” -Rich Wylie

Continued on next page

10 | feature

Now, as we approach the end of 2014, “Kansas City’s Renaissance” is a focal topic in the conversation and lifestyle of young people. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and other cultural institutions are reporting record-high numbers from students, and a quick walk downtown refuses to contradict. Kansas City is a city for the kids. “It’s cool that Kansas City has become a center for art and culture,” junior Josh Swiastyn said, “It opens the door for so much opportunity and finally gives us something to be prideful for.” And if you sit on that hill, just south of Kansas City, for a little bit longer, you’ll see this grand evolution continue. It’s hard to believe that the fall of Kansas City could come anytime soon.

Kansas City’s best known art museum, the Nelson Atkins, is a hub for cultural pride and home to the iconic shuttlecock sculptures. “It’s cool that Kansas City has become a center for art and culture,” junior Josh Swaistyn said.

“It opens the door for so much opportunity and finally gives us something to be prideful for.”

KC PHOTOS BY JAKE FIELDS

No. 3 Favorite City in America

No. 1 in Christmas Lights

No. 1 in Flea Markets

No. 1 in Affordability

No. 1 in Good Drivers

No. 1 in Barbecue

Information courtesy of Travel and Leisure

12 | feature

They’re as cheap as $16. They come in flavors like gummy bear or mint. The long metal contraption contains a nicotine-laced cartridge which supplies up to 800 puffs. The cost is cheap, much cheaper than traditional tobacco smoking, and a fresh cartridge can cost under $5. It’s the hipster thing to do, and it’s safe to use…..right? Currently, there are around 200 separate companies that sell some type of e-cigarette. NJOY is one of the first e-smoking companies in the U.S. and the process of “re-normalizing” smoking is their main goal, according to their chief officer for marketing. The billion dollar, and rapidly growing, e-smoking industry is transforming society’s negative perception of smoking by advocating the more healthy e-cigarette, which sometimes can be smoked in no smoking areas. “I think it’s pretty harmless; there isn’t the tar

buildup in your lungs,” senior James Bentley said. “It’s fine for recreational use, and I think it’s a growing trend for young people.” The metal contraption, sometimes resembling a normal cigarette, produces a smoke-like cloud that can be compared to the fake fog used at concerts. According to “The Wall Street Journal,” teen usage jumped to 4.5 percent in 2013 from the 2.8 percent in 2012 and is predicted to rise. “I think there aren’t a ton of positives to [electronic] smoking,” senior Anna Isaacson said. “Ultimately, it isn’t taking the best care of the temple God gave you, but for a lot of people it’s a way to relieve tension and to have some fun.” E-cigarettes, although they aren’t explicitly sold to teens, are aggressively marketed as an innovative and safer way to smoke. The growing industry continues to come out with more youthful flavors like chocolate or fruit punch. Allowing smokers to choose the amount of nicotine and the almost smokeless and scentless behavior of e-smoking are desirable factors to many teens.

Olivia MadderomEditor-in-Chief

Vaping increasing nationally among teens

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TURNER JONES

feature | 13

Using heat from a rechargable battery and an atomizer, an e-cigarette converts nicotine liquid into a vapor that the user then inhales. PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Nicotine liquid tank

Atomizer One time use or rechargable battery

HOW DOES AN E-CIGARETTE WORK?

“I think [e-cigarettes] are getting really popular and growing fast,” Bentley said. “A lot of people are using it, and it doesn’t have as many risk factors.” However, the FDA does not regulate any type of electronic smoking, which means that companies can mix unsafe chemicals for a better taste or a thicker smoke. In fact, recent research by the University of Southern California points out that e-cigarettes contain “the toxic element chromium, which is not found in traditional cigarettes, as well as levels of nickel four times higher than in real tobacco.” Not that much is actually known, and the World Health Organisation has recently issued a report asking e-smoking companies to stop advertising until they produce “convincing supporting scientific evidence and obtains regulatory approval.” Ram Moorth, British Medical Association board of science deputy chair, also expressed concern over the growing acceptance and use of e-smoking. “Tighter controls are needed to ensure their use does not undermine current tobacco control measures and reinforces the normalcy of smoking behavior,” Moorth said. “ It is vital that the sale of e-cigarettes is appropriately regulated to ensure they are not sold to minors, and are not aggressively marketed to young people as tobacco was in the past.” Although regular tobacco smoking continues to decline, the old habit is getting revamped by the sale of electronic smoking. “If someone really wants to smoke, then definitely pick the one that appears healthier,” senior Gabby Kieffer said. “Ultimately it’s up to the individual.” There is conflicting research about the effects of vaping. Dr. Joel Nitzkin, Chair of the Tobacco Control Task Force for the American

Association of Public Health Physicians, said that the dangers of smoking e-cigs are “much lower than one percent” compared to smoking traditional cigarettes. These conclusions are based upon the fact that regular cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, 43 of those known cancer causing, and 400 other toxins whereas e-cigarettes contain only four chemicals, not including the flavoring. The flavoring is what can be dangerous though, considering that it is meant to be ingested and not inhaled. For example, the BBC reported that in northern England a commonly sold e-liquid contained a chemical called diacetyl, which was used for butterscotch flavoring, causes a disease referred to as popcorn lung if inhaled, which scars the lungs and hinders breathing. The

disease is irreversible. “If someone wants to smoke, and they’re in an environment where someone doesn’t want the vapor, they should definitely respect it,” Kieffer said. E-cigarettes are still considered a wild-card by many health officials, and have not been overtly proven to help people quit

smoking. They still pose a health risk, and little is being done to raise awareness about the negative side effects. “If that’s what you do to have some fun,” Isaacson said. “And if that’s what you have to do to relieve some stress and have a good time, there are definitely worse things.”

*Sources used: http://online.wsj.com/articles/e-cigarette-use-by-youths-rising-government-study-shows-1415901602http://no-smoke.orghttps://www.dosomething.orghttp://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0612-YRBS.htmhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/jasperhamill/2014/08/31/the-health-claims-of-e-cigarettes-are-going-up-in-smoke/http://www.ecigalternative.com/smoking-vs-vaping.htmhttp://www.webmd.com

“Ultimately, it isn’t taking the best care of the temple God gave you, but for a lot

of people it’s a way to relieve tension and to have

some fun.”-senior Anna Isaacson

14 | sports

From any spot on the bleachers, KCC’s new basketball coach can be seen pacing, screaming and clapping along the sideline. He is animated as he yearns for his girls to force a turnover. He is uncompromising as he details what they can and ought to be doing in order to execute the defensive 2-3 zone. He is inspiring as he shares his extensive knowledge of the game with them. Adam Runyan hopes to instill in his players the same love that he shares for the game. An accomplished coach, Runyan has led one high school girls team and two AAU teams. Within his four years of coaching he has maintained a 72 percent winning percentage. “I started helping out coaching girls. I just liked how they listened; they follow directions. I like the fundamentals of the girls game,” Runyan said. “The style of play for girls and guys is different.” Runyan is excited to coach this year because of the positive skill sets they are showing in practice. “We have some athleticism and guidance. The seniors have experience from the past couple years so that will help us,” Runyan said. This year is a rebuilding process. There is no guarantee for a winning season; however, Runyan wants the girls to compete. He is looking for effort and hard work because positive results will always follow. Runyan wants the girls to focus on two things this

Runyan started playing basketball at the age of 5. He also played on a competitive team that would travel from Topeka to Kansas City to compete in tournaments. When he was homeschooled he played with the Heritage Christian School basketball team in Topeka.

Growing up, and still today, Runyan’s favorite basketball player is Michael Jordan.

Runyan loves to be competitive. “As a player you always say you’re going to, win but it will always be a battle,” Runyan said. “I worked as hard as I could’ve.”

Runyan always had the dream of making it to the NBA. But, during his eighth grade year he realized it was not meant for him.

Runyan was still able to pursue his career and play college basketball at Ozark Christian School for one year. In his first game Runyan hit five three-pointers for 15 points. “I remember thinking before the game, I was a little nervous going into it,” Runyan said. “My first shot I don’t even think I shot the ball right. I was just a little bit nervous and didn’t follow all the way through and it went in. And I thought OK, I’m good.”

Five Things to Know About Coach Runyan1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Runyan embarks on first year as girls basketball coachDerrick CookStaff Writer

stay competitive, stay controlled

season. “Stay competitive, stay under control,” Runyan said. While coaching at Heritage Christian Academy in Topeka, Kan., Runyan had some memorable moments beating conference rivals. “[My] favorite moment [was] probably when we split with a team who was our rival in 2012, and when we split with them, we won at our place and they won at theirs. And we ended up playing them in our league tournament in the semifinals and beat them pretty good,” Runyan said. “We played great, had a great game, and you know it was just exciting being able to get a win in our league tournament and go on to the league championship. That was a pretty good memory; everyone was excited about that.” This season sophomore guard Callie Eldred has pinpointed some areas in which she wants to see improvement from last year. “My hopes for this season are that we execute plays as a team and grow together,” Eldred said. Senior Ellen Lee is excited to play for Runyan. “Runyan gives us hope and I like the team,” Lee said. “He is teaching really well and is actually teaching something. I also got to play some. He gives energy and like even when we lost he encouraged us and told us what was wrong and what is right in a good way.” Being a player himself, Runyan has not only brought a competitive feel to the team but also a vast knowledge of the game. “He is really encouraging and competitive, and knows the

sports | 15Standing with arms akimbo, coaches Adam Runyan and JT Horstick watch practice.

By gesturing the precise move to senior Holly Spencer and junior Sarah Gromer, coach Adam Runyan outlines what he wants from them. A player himself, Runyan knows the techniques and maneuvers he is trying to instill in his players.

stay controlled

PHOTOS BY TURNER JONES

PHOTOS BY TURNER JONES

16 | crossword

What exotic pet would you like to have?

If you could live in any other country for two years where would you go?

If you were a super hero what outfit would you wear?

What’s your preferred playing piece in monopoly?

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

What is the first thing you notice about someone?

penguin

South Africa

leggings, tutu, black shirt, T-shirt, cape

top hat

cornflower blue

smile

Student Spotlight

Crossword