GRIFFIN RITESWinnetonka High School November 30, 2015 Vol. 46 Issue 3

THE

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Printing out possibilities

Fast food as we know it

The other side of the story

Broken environment

Hands on learning

Double the dedication

15 Practice makes perfect

Contents editor-in-chiefEmily Elliott

co-copy editorSavannah Moore

co-copy editorAmber Murray

online editor-in-chiefJeff Thompson

design editorEmily Noyes

editorial editor Mallery Zion

co-video editorPaige Hale

co-video editorBrehanna Abraham

lead design editorRachel Adamson

arts editorAlyssa Magrone

entertainment editorJocelin Egeland

comic stripMarley Kennaley

writers and photographersAmy ChavarinJames PalmerKati McMullenHayden Weatherman Ciara Arena Angela SluderKaitlyn MinetRiley Stephenson

adviserDr. Shannon Rennaker

The Griffin Rites staff strongly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. Freedom of expression and press are fundamental values in a democratic society. The mission of any institution committed to preparing productive citizens must include teaching students these values, both by example and lesson. We welcome letters to the editor and reserve the right to edit them for grammar and length, but we will not change ideas. Letters may attack policies but not people. They must be signed and submitted to F6 or mailed to Dr. Shannon Rennaker attention at 5815 NE 48th St., Kansas City, Mo. 64119. Advertising space is also available. Please e-mail shannon.rennaker@nkcschools.org or call 816-321-5597 for information. Our organization is a member of the Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City, Journalism Educators Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.

Policies

On the cover- Ben Zobrist thanking his fans at the Royals Championship parade on November 3.Photo by Alyssa Magrone

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By Griffin Rites staff People in the US may not always be aware of their privileges and the opportunities they grant them. Under the Constitution, citizens are allowed many freedoms such as freedom of press, religion and speech. However, as a nation, people forget who is responsible for defending these freedoms. American soldiers. Soldiers have to sacrifice family time, health and personal beliefs to serve and often they come back to insufficient support. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, veterans make up roughly 12 percent of the homeless population. This percentage should be zero. While the Veterans Administration does offer benefits to those who have served the country, there needs to be more support systems to help those with emotional, mental and physical injuries. While not everyone can donate large amounts of money to veteran associations, there is still more ways people can bring awareness to the cause.

This can include contacting elected officials to inform of ones concern of the needs of veterans in the community. Also participating in local homeless coalitions can bring people together to raise attention on this pressing issue. Most important of all, the greatest thanks citizens can give a veteran is by showing appreciation. While the majority of families get to spend the holidays together, military families are often plagued with separation. Whether their loved ones are out on the line or homeless. So rather than liking a photo on social media to support veterans, it should be a civil duty to take action and be thankful for the heroes this holiday season.

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 3 | Editorial | 3

Privileges come from sacrifices

By Alyssa Magrone, Jocelin Egeland and Riley Stephenson

3D printers have made a revolutionary impact on the medical field. Four-year-old Mia Gonzalez suffered a rare heart malformation that complicated the blood flow from the heart to the vessels. Due to this condition, Gonzalez needed open heart surgerya risky procedure that can result in death if not performed correctly. Without the model, I would have been less certain about it [operating on Mia] and that would have led me naturally to make a larger incision that could have possibly cause more pain and a longer recovery time, Mias surgeon Dr. Redmond Burke told CNN. In the past, doctors have practiced surgical procedures

on cadaverspeople who have donated their bodies to science. Recently, doctors and medical professionals have discovered that by placing human cells in 3D printers, they can replicate an organ to practice on. Using a 3D printed organ thats not human works a lot better for practice. That could even work better for college anatomy labs, junior Sarah Anderson said. The 3D printer is becoming more active in the hospitals to help people breathe, walk, write, talk and hear. It has the ability to completely revolutionize medicine for transplants and treatments of severe diseases, PLTW Bio-medical teacher Scott Fohey said. Thanks to this technology, the life of Mia Gonzalez was saved with no

complications, but there are still patients needing help. Its very unlikely that I will ever call someone inoperable [now] without holding a model in my hand, Burke told CNN. Practicing on replicas can help prevent possible failure. Having that science readily available for when their organs do fail, its really helpful, Anderson said. This scientific advancement can lead to future breakthroughs in the medical field. As far as technology goes, its up to our imagination on how to use it. The doors are wide open, Fohey said. Winnetonka is participating in the 3D printing world, by having a printer in the engineering room.

4 | News | Nov. 30 | Winnetonka HS |Page design by JocelinEgeland

Using 3D printers in the medical field

Printing outpossibilities

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 3 | Ads | 5

tonkanews.comThe student news site of Winnetonka High School

6| Ads | Nov. 30 | Winnetonka HS

|Page design by JocelinEgeland Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 3 | News | 7

By Angela Sluder

Society may be blindsided by the health factors associated with fast food meals. Teens are often unaware of the nutritional value of what they are eating. I dont think they realize what theyre eating. Its like theyve eaten it so many times theyre addicted and they dont care what they eat, freshman Sophia Wathen said. According to McDonalds, 71 percent of the menu includes items over 400 calories. I think that if you eat more than your individual calorie intake is, then that is the unhealthy part, not the food itself, Wathen said. According to the National Public Radio, a group of 22 scientists reviewed the evidence linking red meat and processed meat consumption to cancer and found them to be connected. I dont think they have proven whether processed meat causes cancer, but eating overly processed foods have been linked to increased cancer risks, English teacher Angela Andrews said.

Advertisement holds some responsibility in attracting customers. Recently McDonalds began offering breakfast all day. They use colors and references that appeal to that franchise, senior Nick White said. A busy schedule may be some of the reasons why students eat out more than the average adult. I eat out because no one has time to spend on cooking and eating, when my mom could just get something on her way home so I have more time to get back to homework, Wathen said. With the increasing popularity of fast food in todays society, some believe it can add to peoples risk of certain diseases. I dont think most teenagers have any idea how bad most of the things that are offered in fast food really are for them. Even though there has been a push for more nutritional information on the signs, most teenagers have no idea that it would take an hour or two at the gym to run off that one Big Mac, Andrews said.

Fast food as we know it

Breaking down the Big Mac

Statistics taken from mydailyintake.net and the Ohio Medical Group

out of Americans eat fast food every day

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If you eat a Big Mac, large fries and large Coke, you will have to walk for hours to burn off the calories

620%

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PROTEINS

CALORIES

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Percentage of recommended daily nutrients provided by the Big Mac

8 | Feature | Nov. 30 | Winnetonka HS |Page design by EmilyNoyes

By Amber Murray

The discussion of body image has become more prevalent in todays society. While most people focus solely on female body image, male issues fall to the wayside. In the past three decades male dissatisfaction with the way they look has increased from 15 percent to 43 percent according to the National Eating Disorders Association. If I could take a pill and it would put me at the top end of the healthy weight to the middle or lower end of the healthy weight (in the BMI chart), I would do it, senior Richard Cox said. Typically, females would care to look like a Victoria Secret model, but males prefer to appear more sculpted. A general trend is that guys would all prefer to be more chiseled. There are some skinny guys who probably want to gain weight too, Cox said. Coaches have seen students wishing to become more fit or at least look that way to their peers. Usually I see that they [the male students]

BODY IMAGE: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY

Males concerned with gaining more muscle

Males concerned with thinness and muscularity

Males concerned with thinness only

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According to a study of a national sample of adolescent boys by JAMA Pediatrics

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Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 3| Feature | 9

want to be stronger and have the look to them, swim coach Ian Johnston said. Having the look does not necessarily mean that a person is strong and not having the look does not mean a person is not strong. Some people look strong and are strong but theres other people that just want the looks. You can look strong but not actually be strong, junior Jake Allen said. According to Johnston one of the problems for males is feeling that they cannot have poor body image because it is not highly spoken of. I definitely think women are talked about more when it comes to body image and you see all the pictures on Facebook that are like real men love women with curves and all that stuff; you dont see that [with males], Cox said. Along with not talking about body image gender stereotypes can also play a role in how

males perceive themselves. I think gender stereotyping plays a lot into that [body image] too and the different you

throw like a girl and those types of comments. Pink is for girls, blue is for boys, like what is that? Its a social construct, Johnston said. While some males are concerned about their body image, others are perfectly content with the way they look. If you dont mind being somewhat chubby then thats all right, Allen said. Even though they do not love every part of themselves,

most people are able to pick out an aspect of themselves that they like. I will wear short shorts any day of the week because I love my legs, Cox said.

BODY IMAGE: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORYBody image issues in the male community come to light

According to nationaleatingdisorders.org a recent study on a large university campus found that the female-to-male ratio of positive screens for eating disorder symptoms was 3-to-1.

41%of men worry that people judge their appearance

of men feel uncertain about their appearance at least once a week

53%

of men always feel they could lose weight

63%

According to the TODAY/AOL Ideal to Real body image survey published in February 2014

10 | Focus | Nov. 30 | Winnetonka HS |Page design by EmilyElliott

All photos taken at the Town of Kansas Bridge on Nov 10. Photos by Emily Elliott

You are a piece of this world fragmented,

broke worldfragmented,broken

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 3 | Etc. | 11

By Kati McMullen

In 2012, more than 93 billion pounds of meat and poultry were produced. Meat is purchased and consumed everyday, but few consumers know what hormones and antibiotics are being injected into their food. Meat and dairy producing companies use hormones in order to overturn a bigger profit. These hormones really help the animals grow bigger than they might [naturally], in order to produce more meat or more milk, registered dietitian and personal trainer Allison McMullen said. According to The Huffington Post, dairy cows will actually produce 15 percent more milk and beef cows will grow 20 percent faster with hormones. When animals produce more, it creates a bigger profit and it also means they can sell it for a cheaper price, making it more affordable for

consumers. Research has shown that consuming large amounts of estrogen, whether in food or in birth control, actually increase our chances of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer, McMullen said. The Food and Drug Administration currently allows six hormones in the food supply, including estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, zeranol, trenbolone acetate, and melengestrol acetate. Some of these hormones are sex hormones that can speed up the process of puberty. What worries me as the mom of girls, is there are instances of girls who are hitting puberty earlier and earlier, Gold Medallion Coordinator Carrie Marcantonio said. There are organic, free range farms that sell specifically hormone and antibiotic free meat and milk. If I was going to choose between buying

organic produce or organic meat, personally, Id choose organic meat. I think growth hormones and antibiotics do a lot more harm, McMullen said. Although we can be considered fortunate for the things we have, some people may believe that it is only because of certain companies freedom. America is built on capitalism, people building companies and having a freedom to sell whatever they want. The government regulating some of that to make sure there arent a bunch of monopolies on a bunch of different things, freshman Brian Purkaple said. Hormones in food can be a problem in health related issues, but a way to decrease these problems, people should become educated about what we eat. We are what we eat and we should know what is in our food. We shouldnt just turn a blind eye and be ignorant, McMullen said.

Looking a little closer

By Jocelin Egeland

Smallcakes Cupcakery is a leader in the cupcake revolution. Located on Ash Avenue in Liberty, Smallcakes offers a wide variety of flavors. Founder Jeff Martin discovered fame after multiple

appearances on the Food Networks Cupcake Wars and the daytime talk show The View. According to Business Insider, Smallcakes is one of the fastest growing chains and USA TODAY stated that they were one of the top ten cupcake places to try in America. With the motto of Maybe a Cupcake Will Help? Smallcakes believes they can expand their company across the world. Everyday of the week the cupcakery has different signature flavors, and a few consistent ones too. They also bake their cupcakes fresh every morning. The service was phenomenal; they were so

kind and welcoming from the moment the door opened. Aromas from the kitchen waft out into the sitting area, where you could see the cupcakes baking. The frosting to cake ratio was perfect. The decorations almost made the cupcakes too beautiful to eat. For one regular sized cupcake it was $3.75, which is a little pricey but the quality of the cupcake justifies it. They also offer medium and mini sized cupcakes but those are custom orders. With a new outlook on cupcakes, superb service and unique flavors, Smallcakes Cupcakery is a place worthy of a visit. Overall, Smallcakes deserves an A rating.

12 | Entertainment | Nov. 30 | Winnetonka HS |Page design by RachelAdamson

By Alyssa Magrone

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Twilight book publishing, author Stephanie Meyers created Life and Death. While it is not the much anticipated Midnights Sun that was supposed to be a retelling of Twilight through Edwards eyes, Life and Death offers a unique perspective.

To disprove misconceptions of protagonist Bella Swan, Meyers gender swapped almost all of the characters. For example, Bella becomes Beau and Edward becomes Edythe. This way, a human boy falls in love with a vampire girl. The book starts off acutely similar to the original storyline. However, there are noticeably different characteristics that are present in Beau that were not present in Bella. Not only do the

characters differ, the original plot line starts to differentiate toward the end of the novel. This allows readers to be filled with anticipation and excitement while experiencing nostalgia from the original book. While the other book sparked a worldwide franchise and movie, Life and Death is best left to print. It is more like a well written fan fiction. Life and Death breaks down stereotypes with reversed gender

roles, proving that females are not the only ones that can be in distress. People who were hesitant to read Twilight, based on preconceptions, will more likely enjoy this variation. Overall, Life and Death deserves an A.

Life and Death

Smallcakes

|Page design by AmberMurray Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 3 | Arts | 13

By Emily Noyes

At 8:53, every other day, Kerri Cassitys graphic design class transforms into a professional graphic design firm. The Village of Claycomo approached Cassity last spring about designing a community logo. Theyre trying to reorganize their community in the next few years, so they asked me last spring if we had graphic design students that could work on this, Cassity said, I told them that our entire graphic design class would be glad to partner with them and create a series of logos that they could choose from. For the 19 students in the graphic design class, the first semester has been focused around collaborating on the designs. We interviewed him [the Village Administrator], we did research and then each student came up with their own little sketches of logos. From there the class has just gone through a process. Theyve guided their process of which designs were the strongest and then they continued to work in small design teams to refine that design, Cassity said. Before beginning their designs, the students researched the Village of Claycomo. It started with finding out key elements that Claycomo has geographically or metaphorically and turning those into different logos themselves, senior Gardner Littleton said. The students put a lot of thought into the design of each logo, operating just as they would in the career world. We have to know why we chose different

colors and why we chose different font styles, and be able to present that in a way that makes sense to other people who arent in the art world, junior Charity Smith said. An authentic learning partnership such as this one benefits both the students and the community. It gives students an understanding of how a design firm works, or what type of jobs they could have in a company if they worked in a department that needed a designer, Cassity said. The real world experience gave students a purpose in the classroom. It really helped because we presented in front of the council. We had to meet deadlines and we actually had to meet them because we were doing it for a company, Smith said, If it was just school work it wouldnt have been important to us. Taking the step from the everyday classroom to a hands-on business partnership prepared the students for a career in the art field. I think thats more important than anything because what we want to do is help students understand that they can go into the field of design. They are prepared to do that if they work through an event like this, Cassity said, I think that its more than just learning the skills. The students are actually experiencing what it would be in a design firm to communicate with a client, to take client feedback and apply it to their artwork.

hands on learningA partnership between graphic design students and the Village of Claycomo

These were designed by Kerri Cassitys graphic design class. The logos are now on the Claycomos website for the public to vote on.

Double

Dedicationthe

14 | Sports | Nov. 30 | Winnetonka HS | Design by AmberMurray

By James Palmer and Rachel Adamson

As seniors Deenia McMiller and Perry Randle put in 15 hours at basketball practice every week, they are reminded that each day is an opportunity to improve. McMiller has grown with a basketball background, which helped mold the passion she has today. My moms love for basketball has rubbed off on me. She has played a major role in my basketball life, McMiller said. Randles dad introduced him to playing basketball at the age of five. My dad just gave me a ball one day and ever since I have just been dribbling and shooting, Randle said. Although McMiller struggled with basketball at first, she overcame her obstacles and continued on. During my freshman year, I struggled fitting in, but Ive built bonds and because I am a senior I have to step up to the plate and make sure our team goes far, McMiller said. Randle also overcame his situation, by practicing harder and trying to be the best player possible. My sophomore year everybody in my grade got to play in the jamboree that made the team and I was the only person who didnt get to play, Randle said. After that I worked so hard and I was the only person who played

on varsity after words. According to coach Todd Marcantonio, being involved with a high school sport is essentially a part-time job. It takes time, effort and, above all, the will to push yourself. If you dont spend time on something, you have no idea how good you could be. You have to overthink the exhaustion you will get from playing and that discipline will make you better, McMiller said. According to Marcantonio, McMillers dedication shows on the court, but the character she displays off the court also shows her passion and motivation. DeeNias athletic ability has never been in question. She is a great student, doesnt get in trouble and has a quality ACT score. If there were more DeeNias in the world, it would definitely be a better place, Marcantoinio said. Randles motivation to gain scholarships has pushed him to be a leader on the court. I plan on being the best player I can be and being a leader, I know that colleges look at that stuff, Randle said. After high school Randle plans on playing in college. While McMiller does not plan on pursuing basketball after high school she will be runnining track.

|Page design by EmilyNoyes Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 3 | Sports | 15

By Ciara Arena

With competition approaching, the Griffinettes have begun prepping and practicing for the occasion. From practicing early in the morning to late at night, the dance team strives for what they need to accomplish. We have a good team this year, so I feel pretty confident, junior Mya Riley said. Some of the Griffinettes are worried about the reaction of their peers and what they might say after they perform. The biggest challenge was going in front of the whole student body, because sometimes you dont know what their reaction is going to

be, Riley said. Riley believes that the competitions will bring the dance team closer together and have a positive effect on the girls. I feel like we are a team who has confidence, but were not confident enough like other teams. Were just going to need a very high energy to be where we want to be, Riley said. The girls always keep positive thoughts when performing, knowing they have to be there for themselves and their team. One thing I tell myself is just go for it because if I dont Im going to let myself, my team and my mom down, Riley said. Competition is what is

instilled into the girls motives from early on. There is nothing I like doing more than dance. Its just what I love to do, junior Gracie Taylor said. The coaches thrive off of watching their team develop. I am inspired by the dancers. I love to watch them grow as a team and bond as a team, head coach Rachel Allsbury said. The core of their bond as a team is based on the foundation of their friendships. Their relationships with each other are part of what makes or breaks them on the competition floor, Allsbury said.

PRACTICEmakesPERFECT

Far left: Junior Amanda Hass performs with the dance team to pep up the school populus for the later homecoming football game on October 2. Photo by Mallery ZionMiddle: Senior Dannielle Swinney dances alongside her teammates in the homecoming parade through Northtown on October 3. Photo by Rachel AdamsonFar right: Junior Gracie Taylor interacts with the crowds enthusiasm for the homecoming pep assembly on October 2. Photo by Mallery Zion Photo by Mallery Zion

16 | Sports | Nov. 30 | Winnetonka HS | Page design by EmilyNoyes

FROM: Winnetonka High School TO: 5815 NE 48 St. Kansas City, MO 64119

By Hayden Weatherman

The Kansas City Royals are World Series champions after defeating the New York Mets, four to one, in a seven game series. Kansas City broke their 30-year World Series championship losing streak. Kansas City was 18 games above .500 with a record of 52-34 at the All Star break. After the break the Royals were 43-33, making their final record 95-67. That record motivated them to achieve first place in the American League Central. The Royals brought in several players that made an impact on their team. Pitchers Edison Volquez and Chris Young were added to the Royals lineup. Volquez led the team in earned run average and in wins. Young had 11

wins out of 34 games played and outfielder Alex Rios signed a one-year contract. Kendrys Morales was the big name player signed during the offseason. Morales had 22 home runs. He also led the team in runs batted in. Trades were made throughout the season to add to their roster. They brought in Ben Zobrist from the Oakland As in place of Sean Manaea and Aaron Brooks. Throughout the postseason Zobrist had two home runs with six RBIs. Another important trade was acquiring pitcher Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds. In exchange, the Royals gave the Reds pitchers Brandon Finnagen, John Lamb and Cody Reed. Cueto pitched 13 games for the Royals and had an earned run average of 4.76,helping the royals

improve in pitching. Kansas City has four players as finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award: Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, Alcides Escobar and Alex Gordon. Perez also won the World Series MVP. Alcides Escobar won the American League Championship Series MVP. Lorenzo Cain, Wade Davis, Escobar, Gordon and Perez represented Kansas City in the American League All-Star game. Royals general manager, Dayton Moore, and Royals manager, Ned Yost, have brought back the 1985 Royals trend and made Kansas City champions.

Photo taken at the Royals World Series Championship parade on Nov. 3.

Photo taken by Alyssa Magrone