The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News
The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News
The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News
Anna Zwahlen

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief

This is senior Anna Zwahlen’s second year on the JagWire newspaper staff. She is thrilled to be one of the new Editors In Chief of the JagWire and Mill Valley News. Anna is also involved in the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Scholars Bowl, GSA and is co-president for Youth for Refugees. Outside of school, Anna loves to read and spend time with her friends, as well as listen to new music and watch her favorite TV shows and movies between her work as a barista.

All content by Anna Zwahlen
Students in the Jaguar Leadership Corps play a critical role in the school and community

Students in the Jaguar Leadership Corps play a critical role in the school and community

Anna Zwahlen and Ian Chern
April 18, 2024
In an age of fast fashion, the pressure to keep up with the newest trends is prevalent

In an age of fast fashion, the pressure to keep up with the newest trends is prevalent

Anna Zwahlen, Evan LeRoy, and Madelyn Mulryan
April 14, 2024

Graphics: Learn about different cloud types and how they form

Anna Zwahlen and Quin Peters
April 12, 2024
Graphics by Emma Clement

Five seniors named finalists for Johnson County Arts Council’s Shooting Stars award program

Anna Zwahlen and Madelyn Mulryan
April 12, 2024
Glancing towards the Grinders Concert Venue, the mural titled Under Construction by Rif Raf Giraffe decorates 18th street.

Review: Hidden gems decorate the historic crossroads district

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
April 9, 2024
Work by Sebastian Coolidge decorates the outside of a building containing artist studios and shops on Locust Street.

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A mural by artist Visual Goodies welcomes young adults into the Arts Tech building where they can gain skills from artistry to health.

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Hidden in an alley beside the Truman concert venue, artwork by artist Phybr points further into the Crossroads District.

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Graphics: Find out about local wildlife

Olivia Peters and Anna Zwahlen
March 20, 2024
Bowling teams rising success brings students together

Bowling team’s rising success brings students together

Anna Zwahlen and Ian Chern
March 20, 2024
Going up for a shot, sophomore JaKhai Carter gets fouled.

Boys basketball beat Free State 68-50 for their seventh consecutive win Friday, Feb. 23

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
February 25, 2024
Powerlifting helps students to get stronger and improve their skills in other athletic activities

Powerlifting helps students to get stronger and improve their skills in other athletic activities

Anna Zwahlen and Ian Chern
February 15, 2024
In Mrs. Goetsch’s kindergarten classroom, senior Kaylen Hyde helps kids reach the end of their erasable mazes Friday, Feb. 2.

Internships allow students to get experience in future career fields

Evan LeRoy and Anna Zwahlen
February 13, 2024
Screenshot 2024-02-09 at 7.40.48 AM

[Photo] Wrestling coach Joey Lazor missed his chance at the Olympics, now he’s inspiring high school wrestlers

Evan LeRoy, JagWire reporter/photographer
February 13, 2024
In the digital age, cheating is easier than ever

In the digital age, cheating is easier than ever

Anna Zwahlen and Ian Chern
February 8, 2024
Stepping forward, freshman Joseph Wainaina bowls at the meet Tuesday, Jan. 30.

[Photo] Boys and girls bowling teams each take first during meet at Olathe Lanes East

February 5, 2024
Stepping forward, freshman Joseph Wainaina bowls at the meet Tuesday, Jan. 30.

[Photo] Boys and girls bowling teams each take first during meet at Olathe Lanes East

Quin Peters, JagWire reporter/photographer
February 5, 2024
Grinning as she extracts the small plastic doll, junior Celeste White enjoys a slice of Rosca de Reyes.

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Seniors Kate Haney and Leah Dresvyannikov share a high five as their own celebration of the new year in the Spanish National Honor Society.

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Senior Gwen Heideman embraces a friend as is traditional for ringing in the new year in spanish cultures at the Spanish National Honor Society meeting.

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As they eat the twelfth of their grapes, one for each chime of the bell, Juniors Audri Brizendine and Julia Laws embrace in a traditional celebration at the end of the countdown to the new year.

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As the bell strikes twelve on the New Year’s clock, juniors Aislyn Whittmer, Celeste White and Maggie Wieland honor the new year at the Spanish National Honor Society meeting on Thursday, Jan. 11.

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Holding the plastic doll in her fingertips, senior Kate Haney celebrates finding the token which means she will have good luck for the year.

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Eyeing the slices of Rosca de Reyes, seniors Walt Midyett and Preston Fischer partake in a traditional spanish New Year’s celebration on Thursday, Jan. 11.

[Photo] Spanish National Honor Society celebrates the new year

January 18, 2024
Breaking: Judge approves changes to house arrest requirements of former USD232 social studies teacher Keil Hileman

Breaking: Judge approves changes to house arrest requirements of former USD232 social studies teacher Keil Hileman

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
December 11, 2023
Student artists recognized at Tim Murphy Art Gallery high school art show opening night Thursday, Dec. 7.

Student artists recognized at Tim Murphy Art Gallery high school art show opening night Thursday, Dec. 7.

Maddie Martin and Anna Zwahlen
December 9, 2023
Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
November 29, 2023
Evading the defensive line, senior quarterback Daniel Blaine weaves towards the endzone following a turnover.

Gallery: Football advances to substate following a win against Seaman

Anna Zwahlen, Elizabeth Summa, Luke Wood, and Aubrie Barton
November 12, 2023
Shouts of celebration sound from the sideline as the Jaguar offense runs the ball for a touchdown.

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Sophomore Reece Riedel and senior wide receiver Reid Grier celebrate a play.

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With a successful touchdown by the Jaguars in the third quarter, junior quarterback Connor Bohon congratulates senior offensive lineman Gus Hawkins on a good play.

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Following a successful touchdown, senior quarterback Daniel Blaine is lifted up by senior offensive lineman Mason Kemp.

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Three student athletes talk about the process of building recruitment profiles

Three student athletes talk about the process of building recruitment profiles

Ian Chern and Anna Zwahlen
November 8, 2023
Notifications are taking over the lives of teens

Notifications are taking over the lives of teens

Anna Zwahlen, Quin Peters, and Madelyn Mulryan
November 7, 2023
Breaking: Former USD232 social studies teacher Keil Hileman appears in court to request his removal from house arrest

Breaking: Former USD232 social studies teacher Keil Hileman appears in court to request his removal from house arrest

Anna Zwahlen and Emma Clement
October 20, 2023
Celebrating a touchdown in the first quarter, Mill Valley offensive players cluster around each other.

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Prior to the beginning of the second half, senior kicker Kenten Laughman directs the team on the plan of action.

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On his way towards the end zone in pursuit of a touchdown, senior quarterback Daniel Blaine evades the defense of Shawnee Mission South.

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Rushing to prevent Shawnee Mission South defenders from interfering with the play, senior offensive lineman Gus Hawkins sprints away from the starting line.

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Following a flag on the play in the third quarter, senior Ebrima Sabally reacts to the prevention of a touchdown.

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Pushing through the defensive line of Shawnee Mission South, senior Tristan Baker carries the ball to gain significant yards in the third quarter.

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Upset by one of many penalty calls during the second half of the game, coach Michael Strack argues with the referees on the field.

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Wide receiver Andy Watts pushes through the Falcons in the way of the end zone.

Jaguars take home a landslide win against Olathe South

Anna Zwahlen and Maddie Martin
October 1, 2023
Defensive line coach Tim Thomas details the next plays for the second quarter.

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Senior Addisyn White grins as she reads “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls, which she read the summer of her junior year for AP Language and Composition.

[Photo] Students and teachers share their opinions on the required readings for English classes

September 25, 2023
School welcomes new teachers and staff members for the 2023-2024 school year

School welcomes new teachers and staff members for the 2023-2024 school year

JagWire Staff
September 12, 2023
School Resource Officer Darion Hillman poses in his office. He describes his bobbleheads as the most important thing on his desk. I have my two little girls, Hillman said. This is Caitlin. Shes my one and a half year old and shes in a soccer bobblehead with her as a pitcher because I think shes more of my athlete and kind of tomboy and enjoys balls and sports. This is Kai, my four year old and she enjoys helping her mom and in the kitchen and kind of hanging out and going to dance class and those things.

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After the coin toss, seniors Tristan Baker and Jake Fischer jump and lock arms for the pregame hype ritual.

Jaguar football starts the season with a strong win against Olathe Northwest

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
September 2, 2023
Teachers words of advice for graduating seniors

Teachers’ words of advice for graduating seniors

Maggie Wieland, Leah Dresvyannikov, Anna Zwahlen, and Elizabeth Summa
May 24, 2023
Opinion: Anti-transgender laws are harmful to queer youth

Opinion: Anti-transgender laws are harmful to queer youth

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
May 17, 2023
While it may be true that oil and fossil fuels are a necessary and quick resource for the present day, JagWire reporter Anna Zwahlen argues there has to be a middle ground between demand and climate progress.

Opinion: The government should be doing more to mitigate America’s emissions

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
April 21, 2023
Busy teenagers are vulnerable to developing bad health habits just to keep up with their complex daily schedules.

Amidst hectic schedules, bad habits can be hard to break

Anna Zwahlen, Emma Clement, and Avery Gathright
March 20, 2023
Opinion: Cutting corners can trim students success

Opinion: Cutting corners can trim students’ success

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
March 16, 2023
The Silver Stars dance team smiles triumphantly as they pose in front of their two national title awards in the medium varsity game day and small varsity pom divisions.

Silver Stars take home two national titles

Anna Zwahlen and Abby Riggs
March 11, 2023
Despite system failures in their mechanism for the Scrambler competition, senior Jackson Wilhoit smiles as he prepares for the test launch.

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Senior Sydney Downey and sophomore Carter Tollman watch their plane soar in anticipation as the competition judge records the time it spends in the air.

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Winding the propeller on the front of their recently repaired plane, sophomore Carter Tollman and senior Sydney Downey prepare for a test flight.

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Leaning into a throw, sophomore Carter Tollman launches his plane in the Flight competition.

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The 11.5-gram bridge constructed by freshmen Ethan Austin and Miles Brown held five kilograms before cracking, ending its run in the competition.

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Leaning on the tips of their toes in anticipation, freshmen Ethan Austin and Miles Brown listen for cracking as weight is added to their bridge Saturday, Feb. 25.

[Photo] Science Olympiad team places tenth overall at regionals

February 28, 2023
Fists raised in triumph, seniors Sydney Downey and Jackson Wilhoit approach their team with their first place medals in It’s About Time.

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Seniors Madison Koester and Sydney Downey walk back to their team after claiming their sixth place award for Wifi Lab.

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The JagWire dives into the world of AI, considering its pros, cons and its role in our worlds future classrooms.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence opens up a world of opportunities and risks

Avery Gathright, Anna Zwahlen, and Luci Guess
February 10, 2023
Debate team leader sophomore Bella Guess demonstrates a run through of speaking drills to improve her speech abilities Friday, Jan. 27.

Sophomore Bella Guess leads novices through the complex world of debate

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
February 6, 2023
Smiling as she scrolls through old affirmative arguments, National Debate qualifier sophomore Bella Guess recounts her past debate experience.

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Displaying the process of finding, organizing and preparing evidence for debate competitions, sophomore Bella Guess scrolls through a debate file. This preparation is one of the many responsibilities of leading a debate team.

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Math teacher Chris Borchers goes over the varying levels of difficulty regarding questions on the ACTs math section.

Staff hosts ACT prep seminars to help students improve test scores

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
January 14, 2023
Opinion: sometimes the key to success is failure

Opinion: sometimes the key to success is failure

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
December 13, 2022
In the midst of a particularly difficult round, Evan Mack, Rachel Joseph and Avery Gathright prepare to interrupt the moderator in order to answer the question before the other team. Freshman Ian Weatherman states that the team limits their interruptions, unless its a question we know for sure.

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Senior Avery Gathright confidently answers a literature question, winning ten points for Mill Valley and pulling them ahead of their opponent.

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Following a musical question, sophomore Yazid Vazquez realizes he gave an incorrect answer as the opposing team answers the question.

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Freshman Ian Weatherman proposes his answer and quickly verifies with his teammates to answer before their opponents.

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As the three discuss a fine arts question, Avery Gathright, Rachel Joseph and Ian Weatherman make sure that the team agrees with the answer Weatherman suggests.

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Following a victory for the other team, Avery Gathright and Rachel Joseph laugh as they realize the answer to the question.

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In a tie breaking question, senior Avery Gathright and freshmen Rachel Joseph and Ian Weatherman listen in anticipation to answer without interrupting and risking the loss of points.

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Discussing a difficult geometry question, junior Evan Mack and senior Avery Gathright watch as sophomore Yazid Vazquez visualizes the problem.

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Listening intently, junior Evan Mack anticipates the answer to a social studies question.

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Opinion: Small votes can have large impacts

Opinion: Small votes can have large impacts

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
November 17, 2022
Facing pressure from all sides, students share their experiences with post-high school planning

Facing pressure from all sides, students share their experiences with post-high school planning

Anna Zwahlen, Emma Clement, and Avery Gathright
November 11, 2022
As he searches for unique door decorations in the art department storage room, freshman Ryan Cannata finds the perfect items for Mrs. Matyaks door Wednesday Oct. 26.

[Photo] Lloyd’s seminar class wins door decorating contest two years in a row

November 2, 2022
Freshmen Kaitlyn Shinkel and Isabelle Simms work hard to finish decorating Mr. Walden’s door on one of the last days to decorate for the competition.

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Freshmen Eva Hernandez, Ian Hernandez, Alexa Hocker, and Abby Haney divide and conquer to finalize their design for the door decorating competition.

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Junior Violet Hentges traces over an image of The Lorax for Mr. Houltons Seuss themed seminar door.

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Under the eerie red lights of Mrs. Lloyd’s classroom, door decorating senior judges Chloe Miller, Baylen Monson, and Natalie Merley and freshmen Leilah Perry and Josephine Crossley give the door a high score Thursday Oct. 27.

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Evaluating Mrs. Dalbellos door, judges seniors Baylen Monson, Chloe Miller, and Natalie Merley praise the colorful composition of the door.

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Seniors Libby Strathman and Chloe Miller confer on their evaluation for Mrs. Stringers door Wednesday Oct. 26.

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Reading the affirmative speech for the debate team’s second practice round, freshman Barron Fox stands at the front of the room Friday, Sept 23.

Debate faces tough competition at Blue Valley North

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
October 19, 2022
The best hang out spots for students in the KC area

The best hang out spots for students in the KC area

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
September 29, 2022
New district guidance related to gender identity requires parental approval

New district guidance related to gender identity requires parental approval

Emma Clement and Anna Zwahlen
September 27, 2022
On the last mile of the 5K, junior AJ Vega passes a runner on after running through Kings Bridge.

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Through the shadows of a large oak tree, junior Kynley Verdict passes opponents from over three hundred schools.

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Sophomore Charlotte Caldwell proudly displays her medal for finishing in the top ten at the Rim Rock Classic cross country race. Caldwell faced over one hundred and fifty competitors on the course.

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With her head high and her form strong, sophomore Charlotte Caldwell completes her first mile while maintaining her second place position out of 150 runners.

[Photo] Cross country takes 13th and 19th at Rim Rock Farm Classic

September 24, 2022
As they round the corner on their first mile, senior Lucas Robins and junior AJ Vega overtake their opponents at the start of the race.

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At the start of the race, the boys varsity team burst out from the starting line, pulling ahead of the De Soto team. Sophomore Carter Cline takes the lead, quickly followed by senior Lucas Robins, junior Robert Hickman, and junior AJ Vega.

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As he passes Kings Bridge on Rim Rock Farm, sophomore Carter Cline looks ahead at the steep hill just meters away from the finish line.

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Instructing a class of novice debaters, speech and communications instructor Shawn Rafferty gestures to a mapped out argument. On the board, the list displays this year’s current debate topic around NATO and international tensions. “Mill Valley is a very good school,” said Rafferty, “I look forward to the opportunity and the challenges of working here.”

New speech and debate coach looks forward to a challenging year

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
September 7, 2022
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