Banned Books Week draws attention to issue of censorship
Kristina Milewski, editor-in-chief
October 2, 2012
In an effort to draw attention to the problem of censorship, libraries and schools around the country host a Banned Books Week every year. This year, Banned Books Week is from Sunday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 6. “I think it’s important that we continue to communicate with everybody... (more...)
Unique businesses attract locals
Kristina Milewski, JagWire editor-in-chief
September 26, 2012
Moon Marble Company What started out as a custom woodwork shop 30 years ago, Moon Marble Company became a place for children and adults alike to reminisce and enjoy the marvels of marbles and marble making. Moon Marble, located in Bonner Springs, offers a variety of marble products, wooden... (more...)
Volunteer opportunity allows student to donate time and skill
Kristina Milewski, features editor
May 4, 2012
Since September of 2011, junior Alexis Miller has been donating her time to volunteer at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Miller volunteers every Thursday in the Women’s Health department. She has accumulated over 100 total service hours. “It’s a rewarding feeling giving back to the... (more...)
Honors Anatomy and Physiology students dissect cats
Kristina Milewski, features editor
April 5, 2012
With the smell of preservatives wafting around the classroom, students gather around the back table in science teacher Eric Thomas’ classroom to observe the proper techniques for dissecting a cat. In the Silver 4 Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology class of 16 students ranging from sophomores... (more...)
Custodian shows dedication after 12 years with school
Kristina Milewski, features editor
March 23, 2012
Here since the opening of Mill Valley, custodian Khamla Malathip has made an impact on both students and staff with his upbeat attitude and work ethic. “I’ve worked with Khamla for about five years and I really like his attitude,” fellow custodian Mary Willhite said. “He’s... (more...)
Science Olympiad qualifies for State Tournament
Kristina Milewski, feature editor
March 8, 2012
For the seventh consecutive year, the Science Olympiad team qualified for the State Tournament. Held at Wichita State University on Saturday, April 7, qualifying teams compete against other Science Olympiad teams within the state. The team members found out they qualified for the State Tournament... (more...)
Art student finds outlet with painting
Kristina Milewski, feature editor
February 10, 2012
Junior Kelsey Winscott has participated in art classes since her freshmen year. Why did you choose to do AP Studio Art? I took it last year and I really enjoyed it. You really have to do the class twice to get the full effect. It’s more beneficial to take it more than once. What is your favorite... (more...)
Increase in part-time students allows schedule flexibility
Kristina Milewski, features editor
February 2, 2012
While most students spend seven hours at school, part-time students may only be at school for a few hours or may even come every other day. With 57 part-time students currently, there has been a noticeable increase from the 40 part-time students last year. Senior Kyle Hoener decided to do part-time... (more...)
Community Service students organize literacy program
Kristina Milewski, feature editor
January 20, 2012
In an effort to promote early literacy among children in the community, seniors Megan York and Olivia Cain have been collecting and organizing books at Clear Creek Elementary for a program called “1000 Books Before Kindergarten.” “The goal of this program is to have children... (more...)
Student invests time in car racing
Kristina Milewski, feature editor
January 13, 2012
Racing cars since 2005, junior Alex Owen turned a hobby into his passion. After spending an afternoon at Sadlers Indoor Racing in Olathe, Owen was hooked. “[It’s] what I think I was born for, to be behind a race car and racing,” Owen said. Owen spends about 30-40 hours per week... (more...)
Students show support for Shawnee Mission West High School student with #ATB
Kristina Milewski, features editor
December 9, 2011
Following the death of Shawnee Mission West High School junior Ashton Brunmeier from cancer on Sunday, Dec. 4, support for his family and friends overflowed on Twitter and Facebook. “#ATB,” Ashton Todd Brunmeier’s initials, trended on Twitter Wednesday evening, which meant it... (more...)
Students possess hidden abilities
Kristina Milewski, features editor
November 15, 2011
Senior Abi Hartmann Sitting on a light pink quilt she made herself last year, senior Abi Hartmann crochets a face cloth in under ten minutes. “It feels good making my own stuff as opposed to buying things,” Hartmann said. “It’s a feeling of accomplishment.” Hartmann’s... (more...)
Teachers find satisfaction in second career
Kristina Milewski, features editor
November 11, 2011
After working in different industries, several teachers made the decision to change their career to teaching. Science teacher Jill Lloyd previously worked as a research assistant in the microbiology department at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Two years after her career began, Lloyd... (more...)
JagPRIDE brings awareness of drug and alcohol abuse
Kristina Milewski, features editor
November 4, 2011
In an effort to promote drug and alcohol awareness, jagPRIDE created trivia questions to test the student body’s knowledge. From Monday, Oct. 31 to Friday, Nov. 4 members of jagPRIDE set up a table during lunch for students to participate in the trivia game. “I hope that the people... (more...)
Student pursues musical talents
Kristina Milewski, features editor
October 25, 2011
Coming from a musically inclined family, head drum major senior Morgan Ottesen is able to play instruments ranging from flute to trumpet to guitar. “I grew up around it. We have so many instruments just lying around,” Ottesen said. “When we have nothing to do, we just pick up something... (more...)
New group promotes a respectful and spiritual lifestyle
Kristina Milewski, features editor
October 20, 2011
The lights turned off, glow sticks passed out, and LMFAO’s “Get Crazy” blasted from the speakers. Not the typical setting for a faith-based youth group. Over 30 students piled into the living room of freshman Courtney Ezzell and senior Ashli Ezzell on Wednesday, Oct 12. “Young... (more...)
Peers in Learning class offers students new opportunities
Kristina Milewski, features editor
October 11, 2011
Peers in Learning is an application-based class that is offered to students who want to learn about working with people that have special needs. Last year, many students applied to be in the class, but only 14 were accepted. “I heard about it from a friend at first,” Peers in Learning... (more...)
Lifestyle differences impact family
Kristina Milewski, features editor
September 29, 2011
Too often, people take their sense of hearing for granted. However, for junior Tauna DeBauge and freshman Max DeBauge, they know what it’s like to be without. Both are able to hear, but their parents cannot. Jeff and Susan DeBauge both have cochlear implants to help them hear basic sounds... (more...)
Virtual schooling gives students opportunities for academic success
Kristina Milewski, Features editor
September 22, 2011
Scrolling through course selections on her computer, former Mill Valley High School student Kaelynn Parsons opens a lesson for her U.S. History class. Rather than cracking the books with other students, Parsons will work on earing credit in the comfort of her own home. With the recent availability... (more...)
Students open time capsules at Sept. 11 commemoration
Kristina Milewski, Features Editor
August 26, 2011
Collecting dust for a decade, two metal boxes with signatures encasing the outside sat in the back of Museum Connections and Honors Archeology and Artifacts teacher Keil Hileman’s classroom. To preserve history, two Sept. 11 time capsules were created at Monticello Trails Middle School in... (more...)
Girls varsity soccer ties Bishop Miege 2-2
Kristina Milewski, Features Editor
April 13, 2011
After a double overtime, the Bishop Miege Stags and the Jaguars faced a stalemate with a score of 2-2 on Wednesday, April 6. Both teams displayed excellent defense in the second period and during overtime. Freshmen Abby Sieperda and Michaela Remijio scored in the second period. “We played... (more...)
Lansing Correctional Facility offers program that allows inmates to reach out
Kristina Milewski, features editor
March 28, 2011
Coiled barbed wire surrounds the 2,538 acres of the Lansing Correctional Facility. Inmates fill the courtyard, working out on the exercise equipment and socializing with others. Among the 2,489 inmates, 287 men made the decision to be a part of The InnerChange Freedom Initiative program (IFI),... (more...)
Student finds identity in gender transformation
Kristina Milewski, features editor
October 25, 2010
Junior Jacob Kidney knew he had to make a change. All of his life, he felt trapped in his body. Last summer, he decided to do something about it. Kidney officially changed his gender identity from female to male. “I was so used to people telling me that I couldn’t make the change, so... (more...)