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the harbinger

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRARIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 AUGUST 31, 2026 VOLUME LXIV ISSUE 1

welcome back,

MRS. VOMHOF Leah Vomhof’s journey from an SM East student to SM East’s principal

AUGUST 31, 2026

online preview

cover design by LUCY SWOPE page design by SLOANE HENDERSON cover photo courtesy of LEAH VOMHOF

political cartoon

political cartoon by DEVON MCFADDEN Mini features on students who carpool to school together story by BRIDGET DEAN

staff list EDITORS

PRINT EDITORS Avni Bansal Michael Yi ASST. PRINT EDITORS Alex Harden Sloane Henderson ONLINE EDITORS Caroline Beal Christopher Long ASST. ONLINE EDITOR Bridget Dean HEAD COPY EDITOR Grace Pei ASST. HEAD COPY EDITOR Reese Dunham DESIGN EDITORS Evelyn Bagley Lucy Swope ASST. DESIGN EDITORS Maddie Glasier Kennedy Moore ART EDITORS Julia Campbel Francesca Lorusso ASST. ART EDITORS Eisley Foster Hudson Terreros ASST. PHOTO EDITORS Sophia Cicero Molly McDermed VIDEO EDITORS Evelyn Geheb Emma Weidman ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Ana Schaefer Lucy Cattano

DESIGN PAGE DESIGNERS Chloe Criss Sara Garry Anya Hudson Olivia Knighton Grace Marin Tillie Paisner Adyson Cooper SECTION EDITORS EDITORIAL Kennedy Moore NEWS Jack Fitzpatrick OPINION Lucy Cattano FEATURE Claire Troutwine A&E Emily Enger SPORTS Alex Harden

ART STAFF ARTISTS Abigail Baltzell Kennedy Garwood Trip Hagman Lila Henry

PHOTO PHOTO MENTORS Vivien Glenski Liv Ruecker Bella Thompson Charlotte Walton STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Holland Baldassaro Allie Beaulieu Anastasia Flower Graham Gehab Lincoln Godfrey Sadie Jolicoeur RJ Kordalski Layla Love Ashley Ramos Maggie Rogers MULTIMEDIA STAFF Rowan McGill Porter Anderson Eli De La Cruz EQUIPMENT MANAGER Tyler Russell

WRITING

STAFF WRITERS Vanessa Blades Anne Bowser Aynslee Douglass Sienna Williams Grace Gould Eliot Higgins Elena Hull Evie Lewis Mary Kate Ruane Willow Roberts Ashlyn Van Becelaere COPY EDITORS Effie Roper Addy Newman

DIGITAL MEDIA

DIGITAL MEDIA EDITORS Evelyn Bagley Ashtyn Ingram ASST. DIGITAL MEDIA EDITORS Eisley Foster Devon McFadden DIGITAL MEDIA STAFF Libby Fitzpatrick Lainey Hunter Berkeley Robinson Anna Sullinger

Play this week’s Wordle at smeharbinger.net game by BRIDGET DEAN

BUSINESS ADS MANAGERS Aynslee Douglass Maggie Rogers CIRCULATION MANAGER Lainey Hunter CONTEST COORDINATORS Sloane Henderson Charlotte Walton PROMOTION MANAGER Zac Russell ASST. PROMOTION MANAGER Avra Welling

EDITORIAL POLICY The Harbinger is a student-run publication. Published editorials express the views of the Harbinger staff. Signed columns published in the Harbinger express the writer’s personal opinion. The content and opinions of the Harbinger do not represent the student body, faculty, administration of Shawnee Mission East High School or the Shawnee Mission School District. The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content outside of staff, but quoted material may be confirmed with the sources. The Harbinger encourages letters to the editors but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including, but not limited to, multiple letters on the same topic or any commentary deemed insensitive within the letter. The Harbinger will not edit content, though letters may be edited for clarity, length, mechanics or profanity. Letters should be sent to Room 400 or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.

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news

from blue to yellow

SM East introduces new parking passes this school year to enforce parking lot rules

by WILLOW ROBERTS

THIS YEAR, SM EAST has replaced its traditional blue and white parking stickers with yellow tags that hang from the rearview mirror. This change was driven by the need for flexibility, visibility and student safety, according to Associate Principal Anna Thiele. Enforcement of the new hang tags began on Aug. 24. “We give a little leeway at first,” Thiele said. “But we’ll start monitoring it and

doing what we have to.” Thiele heard that the previous blue stickers made it difficult for students to switch cars and students would worry about getting a parking ticket if they were driving a different car than usual. Thiele also mentioned that one student last year told her that she would feel safer removing the sticker when driving off campus so not everyone knows she was a high school student.

Students noticed the change due to the stark difference in color and the difficulty of figuring out how to put them up for the first time. “The first time I saw the yellow tags I thought, ‘Is this the right one?’ because I was so used to seeing the blue stickers,” junior James Conway said. Conway highlighted that the hang tags are worse than the old ones because they are harder to install and less secure. He

was annoyed that he had to maneuver the small hand tag underneath his visor. “Honestly I do like the stickers better, when you try to put up [the hang tag] your windshield visor it gets in the way and becomes very annoying,” Conway said. SM East introduces new parking passes with the new school year to students disobeying parking lot restrictions.

East has added Reading exploring while reading SM Explorations as a new elective by WILLOW ROBERTS READING EXPLORATIONS, A new class at SM East, was added this school year, giving students a dedicated class period to read, journal and explore different genres without the structure of traditional English coursework. The class starts off with a discussion topic or with sharing what they are reading, according to Reading Explorations teacher Meredith Sternberg. “Sometimes I have a journal question like, “What is your favorite line? ‘Make a list of favorite works and why they love them,’”

locked away

class this year

Sternberg said. Students choose their own reading material, ranging from novels, to memoirs, to comics. This gives students free rein to choose whatever they would like to read. “Students are given totally free rein to choose whatever they would like to read,” Sternberg said. Sophomore Adalyn Nicol enjoys the flexibility of the class and visiting the library every Monday to pick a new book. Sternberg encourages students to explore

unfamiliar genres and tries to show students the benefit of reaching outside of what is normal for them. “I do encourage them to stretch beyond their preferred genre,” Sternberg said. I’m trying to reach for works I don’t normally gravitate toward. Next I plan on [reading] NK Jemisin’s ‘Fifth Season.” Sternberg hopes the course continues to grow, and that it gives more and more students the opportunity to spend time reading, as well as share the ways they have grown with the class.

ABOVE Meredith Sternberg teaches her new Reading Explorations class. photo by LAYLA LOVE

Locker requests with the new phone policy has increased, but usage remains inconsistent

by WILLOW ROBERTS LOCKER REQUESTS AT SM East have more than doubled this school year compared to previous years. They have increased from about 120 in past years to more than 280, according to Computer clerk and locker manager Cynthia Weaver. The rise is linked to House Bill 2299, Weaver says. This law states that phones must be inaccessible during the school day, so lockers give students another option to store their phones during the day Despite the increase in locker requests, sophomore Adalyn Nicol, assistant

principal Kristoffer Barikmo and Weaver say that students using lockers to store things tends to remain inconsistent. According to Weaver, many students and parents submitted requests early in the summer; however, not all students are using their requested and assigned lockers. “Either [they] forgot that they asked, or [their parents] asked for one and they didn’t know,” Weaver said. Weaver added that in past years tens of hundreds of lockers were sitting empty. When Weaver was trying to get unused

lockers in past years for teacher storage and shared locker usage, her checks with students showed about one in 20 students actually used their assigned lockers. Freshman Maddie Penn said she requested a locker thinking it would be of use, but she found it inconvenient. “My classes are all over the school building, so I don’t really have time to stop,” Penn said. Barikmo and Weaver say lockers remain available for any student who wants one, and stated that you are still able to fill out the form to receive a locker.

Barikmo and Weaver have been working on communicating on how to request a locker by emailing parents and students to make sure that every one wanting one gets one. “We have been more intentional about how to request one as our new district policy requires phones to be inaccessible,” Barikmo said.

news

AUGUST 31, 2026

ACCESSforALL W

design by SLOANE HENDERSON art by LILA HENRY story by MICHAEL YI Admin adjusts building and staff to accommodate three new freshmen using wheelchairs

“When it snows or rains, and if the elevators now.” are down, everybody’s getting wet when we Students with mobility have to get to class,” Hurt said. “So that’s the issues also raise concerns travel between the second and fourth floors, there’s only one concern. Getting them there without getting with emergency procedures. According to Thiele, there are elevator he can use that connects the upper anybody sick.” Hurt says she’s been satisfied with the specialized chairs that students and lower levels of SM East. Within the first week of school, that support from the administration, but wishes can be transferred to in the event Areas o there were more wheelchair accessible drop- of an emergency to quickly descend elevator was broken. f SM in line wit East that are Though support staff repaired the elevator off zones in the front parking lot. The library the stairs if the elevators are not difficult h ADA codes not the same day it broke down, the incident entrance was re-striped over the summer, working. or add y for w Pedersen didn’t mention highlighted accommodation concerns in a though Hurt would prefer if there were a heelch air user emergency chairs in the case of a fire, building approaching 70 years of age. This second path entirely. s However, a second but noticed that the library is a quick year, to prepare for several new wheelchair access point would option nearby the Intensive Resources freshmen who use wheelchairs, MY CHAIR IS able require cutting in a new lane, room on the fourth floor. 1. CAFETERIA TABLES SM East has hired new to do it, becuase it’s which associate principal In the event of an emergency on an paraprofessionals and updated electric-powered. The lunchroom has no Anna Thiele says is unsuitable upper floor, Hurt said that procedures infrastructure over the summer. [But] they won’t let accessable lunch tables, due to Prairie Village zoning have already been established, and To prepare for the new restrictions, as assessed by the that students could always be carried me, because, what if students, the school modified making kids in to safety as a last resort. and combined the two staff someone bumps into me district. wheelchairs find other Four paraprofessionals were “We’ll do whatever we can to get bathrooms on the fourth floor. and I accidentally roll? spaces or sit at the ends hired over the summer, and them out of the building,” Hurt said. After revamping the plumbing COLTON two are dedicated fully to the “There’s going to be no man left and water lines, the larger individual assistance of new behind. KINNARD bathroom is intended to provide 2N freshmen. One of these is Kathy According to Pedersen, she was freshman increased mobility and access. DF LO Pedersen, who interviewed to hired as a general paraprofessional “We determined that if we OR become a paraprofessional in June and who and then trained through modules, RA opened that up to be just one bigger restroom, MP there would be more room to maneuver describes her role as a mix of academic and PowerPoint presentations and S d an rth No e Th discussion guides provided by wheelchairs [and] the lifts,” associate social support. “[I make] sure that those students are able Thiele. Thiele says that the school principal Anne Thiele said. “Everything that a South Ramps to participate in social activities as much as will continue to work to improve wheelchair user might need to be able to have are too steep for possible, which is such a huge part of high the accessibility of the school. access to the restroom safely.” wheelchair users “I think it’s important The north and south ramps serve as the school,” Pedersen said. Hurt says that a parent brought up that we always examine our main path connecting students to their classes DROP continuously between passing periods. However, SM East’s concerns about the lack of accommodations infrastructure OFF L ANES ramps are too steep to be accessible, according in the lunchroom. Kinnard is currently able to to ensure that things are to the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA- use the lunchroom, but only by sitting at the accessible for all,” Thiele said. There is only one ends, and due to his adjustable chair. wheelchair-accessable Pedersen’s student currently travels up to the fourth floor to have lunch. Though The Americans with Disabilities Act — a drop-off lane in the front she acknowledges that an extra trip through civil rights law that prohibits discrimination parking lot, but multiple the elevator is unideal, she also mentioned against people with disabilities people who need to use it that the loud noises during lunch can disturb certain students and that the Intensive compliant ramps can only rise up to an inch- Resources room is more peaceful. “Sometimes at the middle of the day, like per-foot of run. lunchtime, they just need a brain break,” “My chair is able to do it, because it’s electric-powered,” Kinnard said. “[But] they Pedersen said. “They just need title IV: title III: won’t let me, because, what if someone bumps s o m e II: s and internet le tit title I: n Telephone downtime. tio ina rim into me and I accidentally roll?” isc n nd tio No ina Nondiscrim services must provide that’s Equal of The day the elevator was broken, So sis ba e th on of that allows on the basis employment c a system bli paraprofessionals assisted students to why this is pu by y ilit ab ng te dis sta disability in individuals with heari opportunity their classes down the hill outside. Special p r o b a b l y s on ati od mm co ies ac ilit e al A look into th best and speech disab Education coordinator Tia Hurt worries that the for individuals and loc of and in commercial to communicate over the nt rts pa me rn nt ve re option for go ffe di this is an ineffective compromise long-term. with facilities them right services the Americans with telephone abilities

HEN FRESHMAN COLTON Kinnard needs to

ACCESS D E

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AD A

A DA Disabilities Act

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NIED

news

design by LAINEY HUNTER story by ELIOT HIGGINS

THE HARBINGER

WORKING AS A SMSD is putting together a group to make a new AI policy draft

After Schumacher submits the draft to the District is assembling a team to Policy Review Committee, which consists decide how artificial intelligence of 3 board members, the superintendent or can be used in the classroom. The designee, and 1 other district administrator. “AI Work Group” will be composed of 20- The draft will go through a step-by-step 25 students, staff and community members process to become policy. Steps include the Board of Education reading, editing and from all five feeder high schools. As of right now, SMSD has guiding rereading until the draft is finally processed as an official district policy. documents for AI – a set of The decision to select suggestions that help staff deal I HAVE color-coded students, staff and with AI usage in classrooms. The by feeder, and then AI work group aims to create an what we’ll do is we’ll do community members from each high school stems from AI policy, which is a set of rules a random generator to the hope that their various all schools in the district must backgrounds will spark make sure that we have follow. including The AI work group, led by representation of parent, conversations, those both for and against Associate Superintendent student and staff AI. Sherry Dumolien, will SHERRY “[Those conversations determine when and how AI can DUMOLIEN are] what’s going to make us be used in classes. Currently, AI such as ChatGPT, Claude Associate Superintendent stronger in understanding the concerns individuals and Gemini are blocked for have,” Dumolien said. students. Yet programs such Applications for the AI Work Group as Canva, with AI embedded in them, are left are not based on experience or expertise – unblocked. “We are trying to go through and figure instead, it’s solely luck of the draw. “I have color-coded by feeder, and then out what tools are embedded that have these AI components, and then [whether] they what we’ll do is we’ll do a random generator align with our current technology policies,” to make sure that we have representation of parent, student and staff,” Dumolien said. Dumolien said. Applications to join the SMSD AI Work The AI Work Group will work to establish a “proposed draft AI policy” for Group will be open until Aug. 28. People Superintendent Michael Schumacher. interested can fill out the form on the

HE SHAWNEE MISSION School

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STEPS TO KNOW

GROUP

SMSD website. So far, SMSD has received Schumacher said. “It’s a great opportunity.” applications from staff and community One of the ongoing topics within SMSD members, yet students have yet to apply. is finding the amount of exposure to AI that SM East Principal Leah Vomhof is one of is “beneficial” for students, according to the applicants for the AI Work Group. Schumacher. “I’m interested in just learning more Dumolien sees future classes potentially about artificial intelligence, how we ethically incorporating AI in their curriculum. To can use it in schools and professionally to illustrate, Dumolien gave an example of how support our jobs, and then how we can help a business teacher could teach different students learn when to use it and when not ways AI can be integrated into different to,” Vohmof said. types of careers. Dumolien plans to meet with middle and The district needs to be responsible high school principals to ask them to help with how they allow students access to AI, spread the word about the AI work group, according to Vohmof. hoping to inspire students to apply. “So if we’re not responsible for how we “That student voice, [the district] thinks, utilize [AI], then how are we making sure is very important,” Dumolien said. we’re sending students out into the world Part of the AI Work Group is preparing while prepared to think critically, problem students to be prepared for how AI will solve on their own, write well in whatever affect the careers they pursue, according to job or whatever profession they end up Schumacher. going out into,” Vohmof said. “For any students who are hesitant to join this, this is Want to be a part of the an opportunity process of developing a new to really frame up how we AI policy? Scan here to apply approach artificial inelligence and t e c h n o l o g y in general for the district,”

What happened before SMSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher and the school board declined the district’s first AI policy proposal

1 Meeting with school board members on July 20, discussing the district’s old AI and technology policies 2 Parent of SMSD child reaches out, saying the district needs to put in more effort towards this topic 3 Schumacher and board members decided not to adopt the district proposed AI policy

T THE START of the school

year, the Shawnee Mission School District implemented three new communication apps to replace old programs and align schoolwide communication with House Bill 2299: a bell-to-bell personal electronic device ban. Last year, GroupMe was a popular messaging platform used by sports, clubs and certain classes like AP Chemistry. However, due to the bill, it has been taken off the districtapproved communication list and replaced by other platforms including Bound, Band and ParentSquare.

BOUND

news

AUGUST, 31 2026

OUND IS THE district’s new

platform to manage school activities, sports and events. At SM East, its initial function has been to help the athletic department schedule and register students for fall sports. The Board of Education approved Bound before House Bill 2299 was passed, according to athletic director Ryan Johnson. “Bound was chosen after the Sunflower League invited multiple [platforms] to present to the entire Sunflower League,” Johnson said. “Bound met more needs of the league than the other vendors.” The district uses Bound’s ticketing service, making the platform free. Bound will also replace a student’s ID for how they enter a school home game for free. Before Bound, all sports physicals had to be submitted on paper and processed by hand every year before fall sports began. With Bound, families set up an account and upload photos of their student athlete’s physical to register online. Some students have been turned away from tryouts because of incomplete or incorrectly submitted forms. Families have had difficulty completing page four of the KSHSAA Physical Form, which requires signatures from a student’s doctor and guardian, according to Johnson. Bound is also an approved

communication method by the district for coaches to send out information, such as practice or match times to their athletes and guardians. However, according to Spanish teacher and cross country coach Abra Scanlon, Bound is a one-way communication platform that doesn’t allow students to contact their coaches — aligning with House Bill 2299, which prohibits any direct communication between teachers and students or any private communication via social media platforms. Without a way for students to contact coaches besides email, and not being allowed to use Band for a sports team, Scanlon struggles to effectively communicate with her athletes about things like meets and workouts. “We should be able to communicate with our athletes that same way [as clubs],” Scanlon said. “I think we’re all figuring out the law, so I know it’s a lot, but it’s frustrating that the other groups can use [Band] and we can’t.”

BAND

AND WAS APPROVED by

the district for communication over the summer and is now used by clubs and other school organizations, such as Student Council and NHS. Band is an app built for school communication and has restrictions for accounts under the age of 18 that keep adults from privately messaging students or using chat rooms. As a district-approved platform, it’s an unblocked website accessible on a SM East MacBook, allowing for communication between students during the school day. A few clubs within SM East had previously used Band, including the Girls Swim team, the band and the Lancer Dancers. Junior Elin Guenther uses Band for various clubs and activities, but struggles to see its effectiveness. “[Band] was just really annoying and there wasn’t a really great way to find out information,” Guenther said. “You have to sit down and do it.

Different features of three new school apps

BOUND

— Registration and rosters — Filling out medical and permission forms

design by MICHAEL YI story by SLOANE HENDERSON art by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

It [isn’t] always super easy to just pull up and [get information].” Band is a free app and includes features like a calendar to add events to, ways to create sign-ups and take attendance. According to Instructional Coach Kelsi Horner, teachers are also able to delegate leadership settings to certain students, which would allow them to help run the group. “For now [Band’s] just a neutral, we don’t really know because if we’re not fully in it, but we’re learning a lot,”

APP SHUFFLE

The district has implemented three new apps for school-wide communication in compliance with House Bill 2299

PARENT SQUARE

Horner said.

ARENT

SQUARE

communication platform approved and bought for $354,120 by the Board of Education to replace Skyward’s messaging after it was deemed an unapproved communication method. Skyward remains the district database and will continue to be how students receive report cards and how parents receive progress checks, but ParentSquare will become the main messaging platform from teachers and admin. ParentSquare has various features, according to Scanlon, including the option to send messages to a select number of class periods and parents to set up a daily digest. A parent or teacher can choose a time of day to receive his or her daily digest — a summary of all the messages they’ve been sent that day. This helps parents organize their messages and receive them all at once instead of being notified multiple times a day. The school has the ability to override the daily digest, according to Horner, in case of an emergency or urgent email that parents need to be notified of. “I am really looking forward to ParentSquare, and also the summaries you get as a parent or teacher at the end of the day,” Scanlon said. “It sucks that it’s another communication platform that we have to open and use, but I do think it will be beneficial for

BAND

— RSVP functionality — Shared calendar

PARENT SQUARE — Automatic translation in 100+ languages — Unified messages across channels

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SMEHARBINGER.NET

opinion hot take

Sombr doesn’t deserve the hate he gets

E LOOKS LIKE Slen-

derman.” “He’s an industry plant.” Students shared their songs of the summer “I’d rather die than listen to his music”, are all insults I’ve heard MY FAVORITE SONG aimed at the 21-year-old singer, Shane Boose, who goes by the stage from the summer was probably name Sombr. Starting Over by Chris First gaining popularity in 2022 Stapleton. with the release of his single, “CarLIBBY RITTER oline,” Sombr was initially wellfreshman liked. Many teenagers loved his music, and when he released “Back to Friends” in 2025, he was on top watch more answers here! of the world. For about a week. art by MADDIE GLASIER Seemingly overnight, listeners started calling his music Students vote on if they like “cringey.” Sombr Sombr’s music went from being extremely popular to *Instagram poll of 123 votes being constantly hated on. After a fan posted a video calling

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oh, about that... DO YOU LIKE SOMBR’S MUSIC? YES NO

his concert “cringe” and criticizing the singer for asking a crowd of primarily teenagers to “bark for [him],” the hate only increased. Though Sombr’s request to the crowd isn’t ideal behavior, he hasn’t repeated his mistake since. Though his music may not be incredible or revolutionary, the majority of the hate he receives is unwarranted and mean-spirited. Online haters have taken his mistake as an excuse to body shame the singer and call him ugly. In a Tiktok video, showing him performing at Lallapolooza, viewers commented: “just long and wrong”, “why is it so long” and “noise pollution and visual pollution.” Among many other hateful comments. It’s understandable to be taken aback by Sombr asking a young crowd to bark for him, and his initial response video, where he dismissed the critique as a “skill issue” was not an appropriate or

33%

written by ELENA HULL

67%

are these even helping?

mature way to handle the situation. It is even okay to just not be a fan of his music. But, the majority of the hate he receives has nothing to do with his music, or said situation. One mishandled situation – which I argue was not enough for him to be “cancelled,” especially considering he later posted a second video criticizing his initial response — or simply disliking the songs he sings doesn’t justify ruthlessly insulting the singer on his appearance or character. It’s okay to not listen to his music or choose not to engage with content about Sombr if you dislike him, but it’s not okay to criticize things he can’t control: his body, his height and generally, his features. Doing so is simply mean-spirited and cruel.

comic strip by LIBBY FITZPATRICK

wordsearch Find the following different energy drink brands

ENERGY

what was the song of the summer?

design by LUCY CATTANO

Alani Celsius Bloom Ghost Riot Rockstar Monster Red Bull

Plus of None

design by KENNEDY MOORE cartoon by HUDSON TERREROS

The I

feature

THE HARBINGER

High schools shouldn’t use plus/minus grading systems because they add unnecessary pressure MAGINE PLAYING A game where you

score 89 points and your friend scores 80. Then someone tells you that you both get the same score. You’d probably wonder why you bothered getting the extra nine. That’s what happens with grades at SM East. An 89.4% and an 80% are both B’s, meaning both are worth a 3.0 on an unweighted GPA. But while the student with an 89.4% is only 0.1 percentage points away from an A, the student with an 80% is 9.5 points away. The obvious solution might be to add pluses and minuses. An 89.4% could become a B+, while an 80% could become a B-. Students would get more distinctions between their grades, and the grading scale would seem more fair. However adding more distinctions also means adding more cutoffs. Instead of only having to worry about the difference between a B and an A, students would have to watch the boundaries between a B-, B and B+, too. An 86.9% could be just 0.1 percentage points away from a B+, while an 89.4% could be just 0.1 away from an A-. The original 89.4% cliff wouldn’t disappear. There would simply be more places where a small difference in a percentage could change a student’s GPA. And high schoolers already have plenty to keep track of. AP and IB classes, weighted and unweighted GPAs and college applications make grades more than a way for teachers to show how well students performed in class. Grades become numbers on transcripts that colleges use to evaluate applicants. For a public school like SM East, using a plus/ minus system isn’t practical. A traditional A, B, C, D, F grading system emphasizes overall mastery of material. Pluses and minuses add too much emphasis on numbers rather than accurate student understanding. The argument for plus/minus grading is still legitimate. An 89 and an 80 aren’t the same, and a B+ communicates more information about a student’s performance than a B. That’s why some schools use it. Just across State Line Road, Pembroke Hill uses pluses and minuses in its grading system. Students there can receive A+, A, A- and so on, creating distinctions that SMSD doesn’t have. That doesn’t mean one school is right and the other is wrong. It shows that there isn’t one

obvious answer to how much precision a high school grade needs. But more categories don’t automatically make a grade more accurate. An 89.4% doesn’t mean a student understands exactly 89.4% of the material. It’s the result of assignments, tests and grading policies. A student with a 90% isn’t necessarily 0.6% more knowledgeable than someone with an 89.4%. That’s where the argument for plus/minus grading gets complicated. A B+ does communicate more information than a B, but that doesn’t necessarily mean high school students need that information reflected in their GPAs. A study at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy compared students’ grades under whole-letter and plus/minus grading scales. Researchers found that the mean cumulative GPA was 3.2 under both systems. Plus/minus grading changed some individual students’ grades, but it didn’t change the average GPA. But the study also found that faculty members preferred plus/minus grading because they believed it did a better job distinguishing students’ performances. That’s fair. A B+ can tell you that a student performed toward the top of the B range, while a B doesn’t. But does a high school GPA really need to tell us that? In college, that extra distinction can make more sense. Students’ GPAs can affect academic standing, scholarships and graduate programs and professional programs. At the college level, a more precise level of assessment makes sense — specific distinctions could match a student’s ability to graduate programs and further professional training. But high school is already competitive enough without making every grade even more specific. SMSD’s current system does have a flaw. An 89.4% and an 80% aren’t identical performances, even if they receive the same letter. But fixing that difference isn’t worth adding more precision to a system that already puts enormous pressure on high school students. Keep the grading system for high schoolers simple. Sometimes, a B is enough.

The members of the editorial board who agree with the viewpoint of the editorial are represented by for, and those who disagree with the viewpoint are represented by against.

FOR: 7 AGAINST: 4

TWO Ways To GRADE

Which colleges and high schools use plus and minus or flat letter grading Out of the BIG 12 schools 5 of them use plus and minus, while the other seven use the flat letter grading The most popular grading system in college is the plus and minus

SMSD school district uses the flat line grading in all of the schools Private schools like Rockhurst and Pembroke use the plus and minus grading

*According to ou.edu

opinion

AUGUST 31, 2026

design by GRACE MARIN photos by ASHLEY RAMOS story by ANNE BOWSER

Why No KC? Touring artists have to stop cutting Kansas City from concert tours because it results in wasted economic potential for the city and the unjust exclusion of local fanbases

and Denver booked 600. So our fate was set. news — Olivia Dean is going on St. Louis and Denver dominate tour. My eyes skimmed over the tour Midwestern live music. locations and dates as I begin mentally Respectfully, I don’t see why St. Louis brainstorming an outfit for one of the most is still pulling more concerts than Kansas anticipated concerts of 2026. There are two nights in San Francisco City. Denver, has the trademark, outdoor amphitheater, Red Rocks — alongside and two nights in Los Angeles. Another two in Denver, and two more in beautiful mountain scenery. But St. Louis? The only thing in St. Louis Toronto. is an arch, concrete and, apparently, concert Montreal, Boston, Baltimore. New York, New York, New York, New venues. Why not Kansas City? York. St. Louis’s Busch Stadium of 46,000 seats None in Kansas City. Again. pales in comparison to It didn’t make sense to me. Kansas City’s infamous, When Olivia Rodrigo and Noah KANSAS CITY is 76,416 seat Arrowhead Kahan toured their previous Stadium. albums, they both made stops in often skipped because Kansas City provides concert routing teams Kansas City. a plethora of competing Performing artists need to will opt to go to a city venues, an efficient stop excluding Kansas City from that will yield more highway system and dieconcert tours; it costs the city invaluable opportunities for revenue such as St. Louis hard fans. It’s a waste of a tour tourism revenue and results in or Denver. lineup, to cut arguably unfair and unwarranted exclusion one of the most wellof passionate fans. equipped cities of the I sigh in frustration as my region. hopes of seeing live music for the Kansas City has proven time and time summer are, once again, quashed. Olivia Dean wasn’t the only artist who again that the city can handle large events; had done this disservice. Olivia Rodrigo and from hosting the 2025 NFL Draft to the 2026 Noah Kahan were also among the long list of FIFA World Cup. This is detrimental to Kansas City as well offenders ruthlessly slashing our city from as to fans. Excluding Kansas City from tours their tour schedule. Kansas City has a massive variety of results in millions of potential dollars lost. In 2023 alone, the city gained around music venues to choose from and thousands $80 million from Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Ed of devoted fans. So why are mainstream artists now Sheeran, Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel taking their tour to Kansas City, according to skipping the City of Fountains? Tour schedules are lined up to efficiently FOX4KC. Every Kansas City concert skipped, travel from place to place rather than in scrambled geographic order. But when it thousands of dollars are tossed into the comes to tours, the Midwest is practically a Missouri River. Furthermore, cutting Kansas City from warzone. With so few populated Midwestern tour schedules also shuts out masses of cities, the battle for artists’ attention almost fanbases. But why not journey over to a different always falls on St. Louis, Denver and Kansas city to see a concert, they all shout in City. And Kansas City is usually the losing unison? I simply refuse. party. Nothing compares to hearing an artist According to the 2025 Pollstar concert market ratings, Kansas City only booked a perform in my hometown. Nothing compares to the chills of hearing mere 227 shows, while St. Louis booked 422

OPENED INSTAGRAM to fantastic

“

SAVE THE DATE

my city’s name shouted during an artist’s opening or the euphoric drive down I35 heading home. It’s incredibly unfair to expect fans to bite the cost of travel expenses, hotel fees and insanely overpriced tickets for a less than three-hour show. However, there is a shining beacon of hope for Kansas City music fans. The new Morton Amphitheater located in Riverside, MO already has upcoming performances by hit artists like Chris Stapleton and Pitbull. With planning for new Chiefs and Royals stadiums underway, there will be ample opportunity to attract more artists to perform in the new venues. But most importantly, the fans speak for themselves. On any given Saturday, teenagers can be found flocking outside T-Mobile center in a mile-long merch line for the upcoming rap concert. Local parents trade nights at home to sway and sing to folkrock at Starlight Theater. Walking through the streets of the Plaza, it’s a guarantee to find a crowd f o r m i n g a r o u n d a trumpet player in awe, appreciating the soulful music. My grandparents prefer to frequent the Kauffman Center and soak up the timeless sounds of the Kansas City Symphony. My point being: Kansas City knows music. Once routing teams and artists get over the ridiculous cherry-picking of cities and realize where the real fans are, Kansas City will never be left off a tour again.

Olivia Rodrigo’s upcoming tour dates for “The Unraveled Tour” featuring her new album

design by SARA GARRY art by KENNEDY GARWOOD story by VANESSA BLADES photo courtesy by IMDB

opinion

THE HARBINGER

LOST THE PLOT Alix Earle has lost her “relatable” influencer status after practically becoming an A-list celebrity

She’s gone from a top influencer to girl of the internet. The Serena practically an A-list celebrity. Alix will casually post while hanging out with van der Woodsen of real life. Alix Earle has been trending celebrities such as Tate McRae and on social media since 2020 when she was 19, Madeline Cline. I wouldn’t be surprised if she started posting hauls, “day in the life’s” she showed up at the Met Gala next. She and following trends. In 2022, she started still continues to post TikToks talking about posting her signature “get ready with me’s” “being like everyone else,” but then her next while attending college at The University of video will be her on a boat in Monaco for a brand trip with Alo. Miami. Alix has not necessarily become less She blew up when she posted more content that showcased her raw and authentic; she’s rather become less relatable authentic “party girl” lifestyle. Even because of how drastically her life has more, she talked about her struggles changed. Her career depends on “being like one of us,” but with all her with relationships, acne and luxury travel experiences, everyday life. ALIX HAS NOT clothes, brand Don’t get me wrong, I necessarily become less designer partnerships and production found them very entertaining teams, it’s getting hard to and always watched her authentic; she’s rather keep up. iconic TikToks when they become less relatable In March of 2026, she came up on my feed. But, as because of how released her skincare line her fanbase grew, her life drastically her life has “Reale actives,” and yes, I became unattainable and less did cave and buy the makeup relatable, making it harder to changed. remover, which, side note, is watch. a 10/10. Her marketing for At first, she was a decently that was brilliant. She made relatable college girl, she would wake up, go to class, go out, repeat. a puzzle to unlock the packages sent out and Sure, she did go to U Miami, and yes, she sent packages out to influencers who lived did grow up with money on the New Jersey in New York that contained a puzzle piece to crack the code. shore — but she made it seem reasonable. She also has a very interesting family Later on, she started posting “get ready dynamic which draws people in. Her dad had with me for this event” and crazier posts, such as movie premieres and red carpets, all an affair with a very controversial escort, Ashley Dupre, which ended up splitting while still being a senior at U Miami. As her fanbase kept growing, she created Earle’s parents’ marriage in 2008. People a podcast called “Hot Mess” with Alex knew about this but didn’t put the pieces Cooper’s Unwell Network — a podcasting together until Alix started blowing up. Fast forward, Ashley and TJ (Alix’s service. She struggled to keep my attention as she never had any guests on it and always dad) got married in 2013 and had 3 kids just talked about the same content in her throughout their marriage. Alix’s mom, Alisa, and Ashley TikToks. have grown to be close now which is what It was repetitive. helped spark their new reality show, *Instagram poll of 193 votes “Earle Meet’s World,” coming out on Sep. 4 on Netflix. From how Alix and her sister Ashtin have been promoting the show through 52% NO their TikToks, it’s making it seem like 48% YES they don’t want it released. Ashtin posted

LIX EARLE IS everybody’s “it”

“

DO YOU THINK INFLUENCERS ARE OVERHATED?

a Tiktok saying, “I don’t stand for any of the behavior of what I did on that show.” This might be a marketing strategy but also making me curious about how different they possibly could act on Tiktok vs a reality show. Alix is always saying she is showing her raw footage on her “GRWM’S” but now we can see if she’s telling the truth. The show seems like it’s going to tear them down rather than gain them even more fame. The internet already thinks it’s going to be boring, bringing them more drama and losing them fans. People on TikTok are already talking about how it’s an “off-brand Kardashians” and the idea of the show is completely unoriginal. Alix built her fame convincing millions of people she was just like everyone else and now has become a star. Don’t get me wrong, her becoming successful isn’t the problem. Now her so-called “relatability” is. The further she moves into celebrity culture, the harder it becomes for her to sell her brand of living the same life as everyone else.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Comparing influencers to celebrities

INFLUENCERS:

An influencer is someone who typically becomes famous via online content creation.

EXAMPLES:

Alix Earle, Jake Shane, and Charli D’Amelio

CELEBRITIES:

A celebrity is someone who often gains popularity through movies, TV, music, or sports.

Examples:

Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Anne Hathaway

photostory

design by SYLVIE DEGALAN

THE HARBINGER

TO THE Link Week is dedicated to helping the freshmen get ready for high school

RIGHT Seniors Miles

McCune, Vada Walsh, Charlotte Hardy and Will Ballard run across the gym holding flags spelling “EAST.” This was a pep assembly tradition. photos by SOPHIA CICERO

LEFT

Freshman Oliver Felix crowdsurfs during the song “California Girls” by Katy Perry. photo by AVRA WELLING

SCAN ME PHOTO To view more photos from Link Week, scan this QR code

ABOVE Link Leaders form a dance circle

around freshman Colton Kinnard at the link dance. “I feel like dancing with Colton was way better than dancing in the mosh pit because I was getting sweaty and Colton was more fun,” junior Clara Ribero said. “That was also seconds before I rolled my ankle.” photo by AVRA WELLING

RIGHT After the link day pep assembly, senior Miles McCune stands by the bleachers with his orange link leader shirt on. Upperclassmen that were chosen to be link leaders wore orange T-shirts to help the freshmen. photo by MOLLY MCDERMED

ABOVE Seniors Coco Reiser, Ellie Burgess and Lauren

Mercer dance in the middle of the mosh pit while encouraging freshmen to come dance. photo by AVRA WELLING

LEFT SM East students all walk into the gymnasium for the first day of school pep assembly before they go to their first hour. photo by SOPHIA CICERO

design by AVNI BANSAL photo by AVA TOWNER photos courtesy of LEAH VOMHOF story by ALEX HARDEN

LEFT Vomhof

plays the trombone at the Lancer Day Parade in the fall of 1996. Her sister Abbey is a couple of rows behind her playing the trumpet.

LEFT Vomhof

at KU Marching Fest in the Fall of 1997. Vomhof is in the top row, four over from the left, standing next to one of her best friends, Sarah.

ABOVE Vomhof celebrates her high school graduation in May 1998 with her brother Adam (SM East class of 2003), her sister Abbey (SM East class of 2000), her grandfather and her mother. Vomhof’s father took the photo.

back

SHE’S

featu

Leah Vomhof’s journey from an SM East student to SM East’s principal

HAT’S THE BEST that could

happen?” The advice Leah Vomhof gave from a podium overlooking a sea of high school graduates. “What’s the best that could happen?” The words that hung on a sign in her office when she was principal of BV Northwest. “What’s the best that could happen?” The quote Vomhof was surprised to see after she flipped over the bright orange T-shirt given to her the first day as principal of SM East. “Oh my gosh, I think this is meant to be,” Vomhof said. “That [quote] was how I ended my year at [BV] Northwest and that’s how [I] started freshman [link] day at [SM] East,” Vomhof said. From an SM East student to climbing the educational ladder as a teacher, administrator, assistant principal and principal, Vomhof ’s career has brought her closer to being principal of SM East since the day she became a Lancer. VOMHOF THE PRINCIPAL

VOMHOF THE PRINCIPAL

After two years of being principal of BV Northwest, Vomhof wasn’t expecting to switch her job so soon. But when she saw a job listing for principal at her alma mater — SM East — she couldn’t ignore it. So she ran the pros and cons: she’d have to leave her current position, but the new one did have its benefits. Since she lives near SM East, she would appreciate cutting down her 30 minute commute to BV Northwest, she loves to challenge herself and she definitely found the idea of being more involved in her local community appealing. Churning the idea

around in her mind and even battling sleep issues over the decision, Vomhof debated whether or not to apply. “Sometimes when I’m thinking, I don’t sleep very well,” Vomhof said. “I was processing, ‘Could I be a benefit to [SM] East?’ Like it’s not just, it’s not about me, it’s about the community in which I serve.” After considering applying for the position by herself, Vomhof turned to her husband Arlan to talk through the opportunity. “We spent a few days talking about it, mostly me listening and her just processing,” Arlan said. After a few days of deliberation, Vomhof sent in an application, hoping it was the right choice. In late May 2026, Vomhof was offered the position. And by June, after being approved by the Board of Education, Vomhof was announced as the new principal of SM East. “It’s surreal to think I’ve come [this far],” Vomhof said. “A lot of people said, ‘You’re coming full circle. ’I’m like, ‘Yeah, I guess that’s a good way to put it, even if that is kind of cliched.’” VOMHOF THE TEACHER

VOMHOF THE TEACHER

Vomhof comes from a family full of teachers, whether it’s her grandma who was one of the students’ favorite teachers in her small Illinois town, her aunt who was a gifted teacher outside of Chicago, or her mother who was a counselor for SMSD and St. Teresa’s Academy. So, once she graduated from the University of Kansas, Vomhof sought to put her major in secondary social studies education and her master’s in curriculum and instruction to good use and carry on the family teaching tradition. So, she landed a job teaching social studies at Monticello Trails Middle School in the DeSoto school district in the fall of 2003. Vomhof considers her teaching career to be a continuation of her mother’s own career, as her mother retired the same year Vomhof began teaching after the SMSD cut the funding for the counseling program she worked for. For Vomhof, her mom was a role model to her in life. She looked up to her ability to relate and care for the children she taught.

“My mom was pr terms of just a reall loving parent or ver said. “She died 2 year be thrilled. Like all that I am in this role be so proud.’” After three years the neighboring Mil social studies, wher carpentry teacher a who she married a fe VOMHOF THE AD

VOMHOF THE

After being a tea was looking for the n when she was approa she was ready for a c opening as an instr school system. “I was ready to look Vomhof said. “And in teaching in a way tha of ] students.” She applied. And first administrative p this was her first step Vomhof became teachers in the De Mahoney, current SM Mahoney says t Vomhof gained from East. “I think anytime building, it gives y Mahoney said. “I thin will help build our c what it is.” For the three y instructional coach in the DeSoto schoo supporting and coac and even running sta In 2014, Vomhof b at Mill Valley High Sc taught at years prior. After two years, s school curriculum offices of the Shaw where she helped tea

ure

THE HARBINGER

BELOW Vomhof at Lancer Village in the fall of 1996. Her back is to the camera, but she’s in the center of the photo with some friends.

retty much my role model in ly good human being, a really ry supportive parent,” Vomhof rs ago, so I know that she would of her friends who found out e have said, ‘Your mom would

of teaching, Vomhof moved to ll Valley High School to teach re she ended up meeting the and head soccer coach, Arlan, ew years later in 2008. DMINISTRATOR

E ADMINISTRATOR

acher for seven years, Vomhof next step in her career. That’s ached by a colleague who knew change and informed her of an uctional coach in the DeSoto

k at what else was in education,” nstructional coaching was still t you support teachers [instead

soon after, Vomhof landed her position, but more importantly, p into a school leadership role. an instructional coach of Soto district, including Tara M East associate principal. that the various viewpoints all her old jobs will benefit SM

e that you are in a different you a different perspective,” nk those different perspectives culture to be even better than

years Vomhof worked as an for the three middle schools ol district, her work included hing teachers, mentoring staff ate testing. became the assistant principal chool, the same school she had . she came to work in the high department for the district wnee Mission School District, achers create curriculum.

LEFT

Vomhof’s senior photo from May 1998. “That experience was great because I built a lot of great relationships in Shawnee Mission,” Vomhof said. Yet Vomhof was ready to challenge herself once again and make another change. “[I] realized that I had stepped out of school too fast,” Vomhof said. “Like, I really missed working with students and teachers.” Vomhof took the opportunity to become associate principal at DeSoto High School. After four years, she left DeSoto to become the assistant principal and then principal of BV Northwest. Despite enjoying being an administrator, Vomhof finds herself missing parts of being a teacher. “Every day I miss teaching,” Vomhof said. “Which I think is a good thing in an [administrative] role in a school. To appreciate the work the teachers do and to value it so much. So it’s been an interesting journey for me, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to step out of the classroom that I had many years ago.” VOMHOF THE STUDENT

VOMHOF THE STUDENT

It’s Lancer Day. Vomhof marches through Prairie Village and plays the trombone alongside SM East’s band. For Vomhof, this was one of her favorite memories, not just in high school, but throughout her life. And her love of SM East didn’t end there. Before graduating from SM East 1998, Vomhof loved being a student at SM East. Vomhof spent her time playing in the band, spent time involved with SHARE and stayed active, playing soccer up until junior year. “I had a great high school experience,” Vomhof said. “I kind of was like, do I want to go back to [SM] East where I had this great experience? It’s work and there are hard days. But I had such a great high school experience, which I think is what led me to being a teacher.” Despite high school being mostly positive, one of Vomhof ’s struggles she faced in high school was getting through her math classes. To overcome that, Vomhof spent time assembling study groups, putting in extra time after school and visiting the teacher after school for help. “Because I worked hard in math, I figured out what it took to be successful in something,” Vomhof said. Having to push herself in her math courses has

ABOVE Photo from Vomhof’s high school graduation at the Shawnee Mission South Gym in May 1998.

helped her to relate to students who are struggling in various ways. Before becoming SM East’s principal, Vomhof looked up to her principal, Angelo Cocolis, who was principal of SM East from 1996 to 2007. When he got the news from a couple teachers that Vomhof would be the new principal, he remembered how she was always friendly and how active she was in school, so he gave her a call to congratulate her. “I’m really proud of her, like I’m proud of all my students,” Cocolis said. “You know, I graduated almost 4,000, 4,500 kids from that school, and I always wanted to make sure that everybody did well. As a principal, if you really like the school, you like the kids, you really feel very much a part of their lives, and I’d like to see the kids do well.” After learning that his former student would be leading SM East, Cocolis was filled with happiness for her. “I’m sure she will do great,” Cocolis said. For SM East parent and alumni Ryan Pfeiffer, who has gone to school with Vomhof from Westwood View elementary school through University of Kansas, he was excited to hear the news that she’d be the new principal. “I think it’s important to have somebody that’s got some lineage and understanding of the [SM] East culture and the tradition,” Pfeiffer said. “It goes a long way to continue in that.” After knowing her for many years, Pfeiffer has recognized a plethora of positive traits in Vomhof that he believes will be a benefit to the SM East community. “She’s a kind, caring person that cares about the students, and cares about the faculty, and cares about the community, and that’s what you’re looking for in a principal,” Pfeiffer said. VOMHOF THE NEIGHBOR

VOMHOF THE NEIGHBOR

Considering Vomhof lives in the SM East area, many students and their parents have made memories with her. Before moving houses a couple of years ago, Vomhof was neighbors and friends with SM East parent Kristen Scott, who has known her for twelve years now. From Vomhof attending Kristen’s golden retriever’s fourth birthday party, to Vomhof gifting her vintage salt and pepper shakers for hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, or the times Vomhof went all

out for dinner parties she hosted, the two have fond memories going way back. “She’s a great hostess, and I know she’s very passionate about schools that she works for,” Kristen said. “So yeah, I think she’s gonna be amazing [at SM East.]” Kristen recalls seeing Vomhof out in the neighborhood, running and staying active — a ritual Vomhof does every morning at 5 a.m. before school. Outside of neighborhood runs, Vomhof has run four half marathons in her life. “I started running as a teacher, and that helped me get my mind right,” Vomhof said. “[Get] kind of that nervous energy out and center myself. And it has been a huge outlet for me. Both for my mental health but also physically.” Another one of Vomhof former neighbors, senior and Kristen’s daughter Molly Scott has known Vomhof ever since she was young, even being babysat by Vomhof ’s stepdaughter. Molly mentioned that Vomhof has been talking to her in the halls and telling Molly she’s looking forward to getting to know the new faces at SM East. “She seems like she wants to get really involved in the student body and make a good impression,” Molly said. WHATS NEXT

WHAT’S NEXT

Now that she’s back where she started, Vomhof looks forward to helping lead the students and staff walking the same halls she did 28 years ago. Vomhof ’s plans for the future of SM East involve looking at data and reaching out to students who need more support, ensuring students feel a sense of belonging in school and taking initiative to promote attendance, such as only allowing seniors to receive a reduced schedule if their attendance is 90% and above. Through all the positions she’s held and all the lanyards she’s had in her career, Vomhof has been building helpful skills and drawing inspiration for her current position as principal. And now she’s back at SM East to help give others the same positive experience she had, bringing knowledge, new perspective and wearing the T-shirt with the quote she’s carried with her. “What’s the best that could happen?”

design by CLAIRE TROUTWINE

feature

this week in photos

global travel

LEFT Junior Enzo Kozup places a floor jack

International trips students took during the summer

underneath his car while changing the tires in auto tech class. photos by SOPHIA CICERO

BELOW Senior Nathan Bartlow moves his piece while playing monopoly during accounting. photos by CHARLOTTE WALTON

I WAS JUST SURPRISED because everyone in the community where I was staying knew each other, and they were all really good friends. But that’s similar to how it is here. Everyone just went to each other’s houses.

“

LAUREN CARR junior

Costa Rica

South Africa

SM East’s new StuCo Leaders

WE WORKED alongside with kids in a community that lived on a landfill and we helped them there. We led like a VBS for them (Vacation Bible School). We did games, sung a lot of songs. It was really cute, I led two lessons.

I JUST LIKE TO involve and

“meet the exchange students ELIZABETH BELTRAME junior

ABOVE Para Karen Blanchard and junior Jesus Morales mold their all-about-me pieces for ceramics class. photos by LIV RUECKER

Meet the new exchange students studying at SM East

Irene Serra- Spain

WHEN I ARRIVED, they made me dinner. And we went to get my nails done too. Also, we play a lot of tennis. Because they go to a country club.

“

IRENE SERRA sophomore

Kate Lengler- Russia A DIFFERENCE [from school in Russia] is about size, about teachers. So in America, I have like, really friendly, open teachers and it’s really good, and feels like you’re in a good community.

“

KATE LENGLER junior

be with students beyond the classroom to be involved in the dances and their leadership skills. I just like to guide, and I felt that [being a StuCo leader] gave me that opportunity to work with students beyond the classroom.

“

MRS. FOSSOH

history teacher

I THINK THE even more rewarding piece is when they make their ideas come to life. So the last two years, I’ve gotten to experience and see that actually happen within the community. And then I’ve seen students continue to carry out those traditions every year and it’s been

“

really cool to watch.

MS. STOUT teacher

design by ANYA HUDSON photos by MAGGIE ROGERS

Clover’s Favorites:

Clover’s favorite thing to do outside of her time as a therapy dog at SM East loves to eat any peanut butter 1. She treats favorite backyard activity is 2. Her fetch loves to swim at Shawnee Mission 3. She Dog Park

local lancer

THE HARBINGER

Cl ver SM East has a new therapy dog, Clover, who helps in classrooms, personal visits and around the school

Clover is SM East counselor Susan Fritzemeier’s certified therapy dog that now works at the school. Clover is one year and four months old and received her therapy dog certification with the Heart of America KC K9 Teams. Fritzemeier and Clover are outside of the counselor’s office before and after school. In the future, Fritzemeier hopes to add an option for students to set up a personal meeting with Clover.

Read about the Heart of America KC K9 Teams

What are the benefits of having a therapy dog? “I would say it kind of contributes to overall culture and well-being, specifically belonging. Therapy dogs can really support social skills. There might be students who have a hard time with introductions or socializing, but when a dog’s there it just eases the tension and makes things more approachable. Even just Clover’s presence in the building, I’ve watched a lot of students, who I’ve seen their facial expression change, pretty quickly from when they’ve seen her and given her some pets. For this year, we’ve visited Mr. Burrows room a couple times, and we went into a couple other classrooms as well.”

THERE MIGHT be

students who have a hard time with introductions or socializing, but when a dog’s there it just eases the tension and makes things more approachable.

“

SUSAN FRITZEMEIER student counselor

What are Clover’s duties at SM East? “I would say it’s kind of classroom visits, one-to-one visits, and staff visits, like if they’re on plan and they want a Clover visit. And then I actually went into one of our classes and taught with some of our students who are in a careers class, about what careers are that involve animals, and brainstorming and talked a little bit about Clover’s kind of therapy dog. My goal is to kind of push [this] into classes a little bit more.”

Canine Good Citizen Requirements:

Some of Clover’s certification standards - At least year old - Updated vaccines and health screening - Social temperament - Calm demeanor - Pass a formal evaluation

AUGUST 31, 2026

feature

NEW ANGLES Math teacher Asia Haque shares her journey moving from Bangladesh to the U.S.

is as simple as a student being expected to understand a more advanced concept Haque.” without having mastered the skills “Get better grades.” needed to reach it. “Be more like Haque.” “If they don’t have this idea of The words stuck. After living in Dhaka, Bangladesh substitution or they don’t know how to for 24 years, Asia Haque moved to the add or subtract, then that’s going to be U.S. in 2017 to pursue engineering after a gap for a student who needs to learn earning her bachelor’s degree in physics this function,” Haque said. Haque uses this experience to teach at the University of Dhaka. When she became frustrated with the her students to understand their point physics department at the University of of view. “She really explains everything well,” Dhaka, Haque decided to switch fields junior Mark Wells in her to biomedical engineering. She eventually attended I ASKED MYSELF Algebra 2 class said. “Her way of teaching the University of ‘How can I build helps me and others Massachusetts and later that connection in difficult switched to mathematics. between math and the understand Algebra 2 math.” Haque was a high- real world?’ Her own education achieving student in her ASIA HAQUE also gave her a high school education. teacher different perspective on While in 11th and 12th grade, students with learning in Bangladesh, students difficulties, explaining were separated into academic tracks based largely on their performance, that students mentally struggling weren’t seen as mental complications specifically in math and science. Students with higher scores were and were usually seen as “academically directed toward science and math- challenged.” Haque recalls her teachers publicly focused careers, while the students with average scores were placed in business calling on struggling students and embarrassing them in front of large and humanities. “My teachers used to praise me a classes. Those memories have influenced lot,” Haque said. “They used to put me the kind of teacher Haque hopes to on the spot.” However, that experience changed be: supportive, understanding and when she entered the University of cooperative when working Massachusetts and found herself in an with kids who are making mistakes. even more competitive environment. Through For Haque, math is more than solving her few equations and finding slopes. It’s a way to connect to students and teach them years of how math can be entertaining — an t e a c h i n g , idea influenced by her own experiences. she heard “I asked myself ’ “How can I build f a m i l i a r that connection in between math and c o m p l a i n t s from students: the real world?”” Haque said. That goal helped bring Haque to SM math was hard, and East, after looking for math positions confusing in all school districts, where she is mostly irrelevant beginning her first year at SM East from real life. That made teaching math feel teaching. like an opportunity to address Bangladesh’s education system often has high student-to-teacher ratios, a problem she had encountered making students extra help can have throughout her own education. Junior Delilah Bales says she’s fewer opportunities, or in other words, already learned better with Haque’s an “achievement gap,”” according to new way of teaching. Haque. “Instead of telling us what to do, she An achievement gap, she explained, goes into detail and explains why we do

OU AREN’T AS smart as

“

it and why it works,” Bales said. Now at SM East, Haque said she’s received countless encouragement from the school community, with inclusion from the faculty, that makes her feel supported in the new school. Principal Leah Vomhof said Haque’s experience reflects what SM East hopes to create for every member of the school community. “Belonging is one of our building goals at East, and that applies to both students and staff,” Vomhof said. “It’s also something I value personally and professionally — I want people to feel like they are known, supported and genuinely part of our community.” For Haque, becoming the math teacher she’s today is not simply a career change. She’s the result of years of frustration with the Bengali education system turned into lessons about what students need from their teachers. “I’m getting what I need to have here in SM East to support my students as a teacher,” Haque said.

design by EVELYN BAGLEY photos by ZAC RUSSELL story by EFFIE ROPER

EDUCATION ACROSS BORDERS Breaking down the education system in Bangladesh

- 19% of children aged 3-5 attend an early childhood education program. - 64% of children go on to complete secondary education. - Children living in disasteraffected parts of Bangladesh are most at risk of being excluded from school. - Children with disabilities are seven times more likely to be out of school than other children. - Married girls are over four times more likely to be out of school.

design by LIBBY FITZPATRICK photos by SOPHIA CICERO story by GRACE PEI

feature

Summer

IN SCRUBS Junior Ana Pyakural learned about medicine after spending the summer shadowing doctors at Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City

connection, she got up at 6:30 a.m. Monday HEN JUNIOR ANA Pyakural first saw the second through Friday to spend seven hours at the patient of the day in the ICU, she hospital watching doctors in their jobs. Out of those six weeks where she mainly thought he was going to die. watched cardiologists, she shadowed an The 76-year-old man had just arrived the Emergency Department doctor for four night before, delirious. The ICU doctor Pyakural was shadowing days. On the third day, the 76-year-old man told her the patient’s lungs were clogged, while whose lungs were clogged started showing showing her the X-ray that morning. Hunched over, eyes closed, the patient signs of improvement. After he took medication couldn’t hold whimself up as his meal sat at the prescribed by the doctor, his eyes were fully open and he could now form sentences. bedside table untouched. Seeing the patient improve The doctor tried to talk to the strengthened patient, but he couldn’t respond AND I THINK that her interest in because of his condition. medicine, but Fifteen minutes after the inspired my [desire] watching doctor prescribed medication, to go into medicine surgeries they moved on to the next patient. because I feel like I such as an Thirteen more to go. aortic valve Pyakural learned from different would love to help r e p l a c e m ent specialty doctors, such as cardiac people and have them made her surgeons, as she shadowed get better.” realize she them during the six-week Saint ANA PYAKURAL wasn’t going Luke’s Summer Student Scholars junior into that field. Program from June to July. “It’s not As a former fan of Grey’s Anatomy, Pyakural went from watching an like the grossness of it,” aortic valve replacement on her living room TV Pyakural said. “It’s just, you have someone’s body under you and you’re to seeing one happen in front of her. “Now it’s like, I’m actually going into surgeries working on it. You have to be into that like they did,” Pyakural said. “No, obviously, [the and wanting to like work in someone’s body. I think I just wouldn’t wanna do characters are] interns, but [it’s a] full circle.” Her interest in pursuing a science-related that.” On the fourth day of shadowing in career led her to apply for this program last year. As a kid, science museums were where she the ICU, Pyakural saw the same man would be fascinated by her hair frizzing up as fully recovered. Now he could talk. she touched the statically charged ball. Math His plate was empty and he was ready to go home. and science always came easy to her. “It was just in 4 days [of ] staying When her dad mentioned a friend, one of the doctors who’s a part of the program, she applied at the hospital that he got better,” — even when one of their prerequisites was Pyakural said. “And I think that for the student to have completed two years of inspired my [desire] to go into medicine because I feel like I would undergraduate school. After being accepted to attend this summer, love to help people and have them get which she attributes to the family-friend better.”

“

THE HARBINGER

DAY IN THE LIFE Pyakural’s typical day at Saint Luke’s Summer Scholars Program

6:30/7 A.M. Wake up

7:40 A.M. Drive to Saint Luke’s Hospital

8 A.M. Grab badge and text assigned doctor about surgery

SURGERY Watch the surgery

LUNCH Depending on when the surgery ends, go get lunch

SURGERY Watch another surgery

3:00/4 P.M. Leave and go home

design by EMILY ENGER

entertainment *Instagram poll of 37 votes

IF YOU SAW THE END OF OAK STREET, DID YOU LIKE IT? 73%

YES

27%

*read more about this on page 20

*Instagram poll of 43 votes

IF YOU READ THE UNKNOWN, DID YOU LIKE IT? 93%

NO YES 7%

Morton Amphitheater] is outside and it’s not like T-Mobile, so it’s outside and there’s the turf area and there’s grass but then you can also be in seats or in the pit. So there’s a lot of different options of seats. FINLEY DIPPEL sophomore

“

THE ODYSSEY

Photos and Information courtesy of IMDB

newest releases

*read more about this on page 21 Movies and television that came out this summer and their IMDb ratings and descriptions

SPIDER MAN: BRAND NEW DAY

8.1/10 8.1

Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he’s devoted himself entirely to protecting his city - a full-time Spider-Man

MY LIFE WITH THE WALTER BOYS

6.8/10 6.8

After a tragic loss, a teen adapts to life with her guardian’s big family in a small town, where she learns new lessons about love, hope and friendship.

8.5/10 8.5

It’s based on Homer’s famous poem, and it stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king who’s trying to get back home after the Trojan War.

NIMRODS

7.1/10 7.1

A coming-of-age movie, which follows three friends in a band as they travel to Los Angeles thinking they’ll open for Green Day at a New Year’s Eve concert.

Morton Amphitheater concerts summer 2026 Popular concerts at The Morton Amphitheater this summer

JULY JUNE

I LIKE HOW [The

this week’s arts &

AUGUST

a&e

Kesha 3 MGK 23 Luke Bryan 9 Tyler Childers 14 Jason Aldean 25 Whiskey Myers 30 Mumford and Sons 2 Empire of the Sun 16 Tim McGraw 21

THE ICE CREAM MAN

3.9/10 3.9

It is an unapologetically bloody, violent, and ridiculous horror film that wears its excess on its sleeve.

Photos and information courtesy of The Morton Amphitheater

design and art by ABIGAIL BALTZELL story by REESE DUNHAM

A&E

THE HARBINGER

AN UNKNOWN SUCESSS T

“The Unknown” was an unexpected paranormal thriller with a dual timeline that leaves you questioning reality

I was watching the characters move on the entire forested island through a video game. The details and only one boat to rescue describing the cottages in which the them if something were to go actresses stayed were intricate and wrong. Each of the women is already spooky — perfect for a thriller. The novel is told from the point disappearing one by one. “The Unknown,” by Riley Sager, of view of plain Marin Keane, whose was released Aug. 4 and is Sager’s 22nd only previous acting job was in a thriller novel. The book is set on an skincare commercial. I loved having island, New Avalon, in the middle of a her narration because she was lake in Vermont. On this same island working through all her thoughts in 1926, five women mysteriously and memories. I felt like I was in on a secret. disappeared, but the Also, after being cast, bodies were never WELL I WAS super Marin tries to figure out found. suprised with all the why she’s been chosen for Decades later, this movie when the other a famous director, plot twists because I Ronan Peters, has don’t read a lot of books women have won Oscars for their previous roles. decided to make like this. I read it pretty She becomes even more a horror film perplexed after reading reenacting these quickly and I recomend the script, and finding disappearances. The it out that she’s playing one movie is supposed CAROLINE of the lead roles as Daisy to be based on the HARGENS Rue. actual recovered sophomore The information that diary that was Ronan initially “forgot” to mention written by the last of the five to Marin is that the actresses would be women to disappear, Daisy Rue. The director has cast five actresses living like they were in 1926, wearing to star as the women that went “period” clothing at all times, and missing, but the catch is that the living without access to electricity movie will actually be filmed on and internet. That means no way to contact New Avalon. History will literally be repeating itself — whether in reality anyone if something were to go wrong — oh, the classic stupidity of horror or with movie magic. “The Unknown” is an engaging book characters. The readers learn later in the story psychological thriller with numerous unforeseen plot twists that that in 1926, the five women were on completely surpassed the level of the island for a spiritual commune. traditional murder mysteries. To say In Daisy’s diary, she had believed the least, this isn’t your grandma’s that they had summoned some supernatural being through seances, predictable Hallmark movie plot. Sager does an incredible job of causing the women to disappear. Excerpts from Daisy’s diary putting you on the island with the characters. I pictured an entire detailing the past women’s time on map in my head, making it feel like the island are revealed, and every

HERE’S FIVE WOMEN

“

few chapters alternate between the diary entries and Marin’s current experiences while filming. The first 40% of the book was set up to make the later plot points seem plausible. It wasn’t boring, per se, but it definitely took me multiple days to get through all this building to the climax. After that the story really picked up, especially when the past and present events start to match. Also, the idea that I was learning about Daisy’s diary at the same time as Marin helped to immerse me in the story, and truly made me feel like I was experiencing the same things that she was. Every time I thought I was on the right path to figuring out what was going on, a new detail was thrown into the story that completely ruled out what I was thinking — a telltale sign of a good thriller. I know all thrillers have twists and turns — that’s what makes it a mystery — but when I say that I didn’t expect any of the plot twists that occurred in the last 100 or so pages, I’m not exaggerating. Also, I’m definitely not one to believe in ghosts or any kind of supernatural creatures, but even so, it still made me think that if I were witnessing the disappearances and supernatural activities like Marin was, I would be questioning if they were real. The enticing backstory and supernatural plot twists made my experience reading “The Unknown” unforgettable, and I’m eager to read another Riley Sager thriller.

TIMELINE

Timeline of events that occur in The Unkown

1926- The original mystery 100 years later- the film crew arrives

Dissaperances occur again

The truth is revealed

a&e

design by EMILY ENGER story by CAROLINE BEAL art by PORTER ANDERSON

THE

THE HARBINGER

MID-DLE OF OAKstreet

“The End of Oak Street” was a fun, onetime watch

Plays Denise Platt who is the Mom of the Family of Four

Plays Greg Platt who is the dad of the family of four

n i t

IMDB

ROTTEN TOMATOES

Plays Brian Platt who is the brother of the family of four

Plays Audrey Platt who is the sister of the family of four

CAROLINE’S RATING

The leads in “The End of Oak Street” and their role in the cast

Christian Convery

The Actors

Anne Hathaway

getting eaten by ancient reptiles, that’s probably not the best time to go looking for Starbuck. Regardless of whether the dog

s g

was necessary for survival, I was entertained, and the plain stupidity of the plot of made the film almost d n e E ig comical, whether it f Th to b was intentional o d ting pare s or not. a r ie ’s m There ine et co pan l o m r w a s Ca k Stre g co even n i a O lish a b pu point w h e n Denise took a Polaroid of Greg in front of two brontosauruses After a mysterious having intercourse. Who could cosmic event tips come up with an idea like that? I’d Oak Street from rather not know. suburbia and transEven while looking for an ports their neighborhood to someplace escape from the dinosaur-hunting unknown, the Platt grounds, the family still managed to family soon let what looked like a seven-storydiscovers that their long snake take over their home, very survival depend with zero notice. on them sticking And sure, the ending kept together as they navigate their now me engaged, but I was still left unrecognizable wondering how this family ended surroundings. up with dinosaurs in their backyard. But hey, this was the most baffled I’ve ever been after watching a dinosaur thriller. The Platt family “The End of Oak Street” was bands together to a good time at my local AMC, but navigate their new would I pay $19.99 for the movie surroundings after a cosmic event when it comes out on Amazon Prime transports their in a few months? Absolutely not.

Maisy Stella

“

of the film trying to find their way back to reality — there was very little depth. That is the real problem of this film, there was no real plot. There was talk of time travel, cosmic events and a light portal, but as the credits started to roll, I still had zero clue how the plot made sense. It all felt too fast-paced. One minute it was storming, the next, killer pterodactyls were flying around the neighborhood cul-desac. Once the family took their sweet time figuring out they were surrounded by a prehistoric rainforest, the film finally got interesting, and not at all scientifically accurate. Car-sized snapping turtles, crocodiles and feathered dinosaurs chasing around post-asteroid humans — how could that be boring? But my biggest complaint had to be Starbuck, the household dog. My problem isn’t with the dog itself but with how many times the family almost killed themselves searching for it. I get it, you love the dog, but when your neighbors are

Ewan McGregor

hard to tell. Their children, Audrey and World,” “Godzilla,” “The Land Brian, played by Maisy Stella and Before Time,” the list goes on Christian Convery, are two angsty and on. And now, another has been teenagers watching their parents teeter on the brink of divorce. added to the count. And while the acting from the “The End of Oak Street,” other characters is what I expect released on Aug. 14, is a from a dinosaur 99-minute apocalyptic WAS IT BAD? No. film, perfectly dinosaur-drama film cliché, Hathaway Was it good? No. that has, somehow, carried this film received an 86% on But it was what every on her back. From Rotten Tomatoes. dinosaur movie should depicting what Was it bad? No. be — a fun, suspenseful it’s like to be a Was it good? No. stereotypical stayone-time movie theater But it was what at-home mom every dinosaur movie watch. during the 80s should be — a fun, who is an aspiring suspenseful one-time writer to running away from a large movie theater watch. The film follows a family of four chicken-looking T. rex, the girl has living in Michigan’s suburbs in 1982. range. But even with a few good The parents, Greg Platt, played by performances, what really had me Ewan McGregor, and Denise Platt, played by Anne Hathaway, have the stumped throughout the entire conventional suburban parent arc film was how, in any world, it of borderline hating each other or was possible for the Platts’ tiny loving neighborhood to be mysteriously e a c h transported into a dinosaur’s other backyard. They were a regular family, — suddenly transported into the it’s habitat of dinosaurs and spent half

URASSIC PARK” “Jurassic

8.6/10

6.6/10

suburban neighborhood to someplace unknown.

5.5/10

“The End of Oak Street”was a mediocre film that was only enjoyable in the movie theater. With unexplainable plot lines, I felt confused until the very end. However, any dinosaur film is entertaining enough to watch on the big screen

Read the Harbinger.

sports

design by JULIA CAMPBELL photo by LAYLA LOVE

BELOW Junior Carmen Carroll prepares for her final running drill at flag football tryouts. photo by ASHLEY RAMOS

I’M LOOKING FORWARD to the Rock

tryout galleries

game because it’s always a heated rivalry. I hope to learn more about how the team plays together and who hosts the best team dinner. One [piece of advice I have] is it doesn’t matter how you play solo, it’s about how you play as a team.

“

LANDON CALLENBACH senior

I HOPE TO be a helpful part to their team and make sure that I can do all I can to help them be ready for games. The boys have a super talented team and if they go play like they do everyday at practice then they will come out victorious.

“

ABOVE Sophomore Audrey McInnes runs up to the net to hit the ball back over to her singles opponent. photo by BELLA THOMPSON

ABOVE Junior Oliver Jones kicks the ball down the field towards his goal because his opponent, junior Harvey Mariner, is looking to steal the ball. photo by SADIE JOLICOEUR

athlete spotlight Freshman Varsity Lancer Dancer Kynley Winn elaborates on what motivates her to keep dancing

I REMIND MYSELF how much I love dancing and how hard I’ve worked to get where I am. When something is difficult, I try to use it as motivation to keep working and improving instead of getting discouraged.

“

KYNLEY WINN freshman

Favorite Dance Style: Jazz Favorite Memory While Performing: NDA Camp

BEN BAGBY senior

dribbling fresh faces Two of the new varsity boys soccer managers expand on what they’re looking forward to during the upcoming season

upcoming events Upcoming home games and matches for fall sports

SEP.

FLAG FOOTBALL

GIRLS TENNIS

SEP.

FOOTBALL

7:30 p.m. @ SM North 3 p.m. @ Harmon Park 7 p.m. @ SM North

sports

design by TILLIE PAISNER photos by CHARLOTTE WALTON story by ANYSLEE DOUGLASS

THE HARBINGER

ABOVE

Write a caption and why it’s so super cool and important make sure to identify who the person is

LEFT Junior Annika Berg holds out the

ball for senior Maya Monyakula to run a drill during tryouts

ABOVE Girls Flag Football coach

Alexander Henton throws the ball while explaining a tryout drill

LET HER

PLAY

HE COMMONS FILL for the pre-

tryout meeting. Not for volleyball, cross country or tennis, but for flag football — a new sport for SM East and other Kansas high schools. Girls flag football popularity has expanded around the Kansas City area for the last 10 years due to the Kansas City Chiefs’ sponsorship and increased access. Junior Annika Berg, alongside her family, pushed the Shawnee Mission School District for the last six years to adopt flag football. In April, KSHSAA voted to sanction flag as a girls sport. In August 56 SM East students tried out for the flag football team. “We’re definitely encouraged by the girls that were there [at try outs] and the effort that they put forth, you could tell that they were passionate and they’re wanting to be a part of this, “Head Flag Football Coach Alex Henton said. “It’s such a special thing to be a part of.” The desire for flag football in high school comes from Berg’s love for the game. After six years of Berg, her father and her coaches advocated for flag football, all of SMSD high schools to have teams for this fall season. “To be honest, I didn’t think I would be able to play in high school,” Berg said. “So the fact that it got passed when I was still able to play, that’s something that I was very

The SM East girls flag football team starts its first season after advocacy from junior Annika Berg

ABOVE Coach Henton and Coach

Ufford talk while timing the players 40-yard dash

excited about.” “The reason we were able to qualify After three days of trying out, 40 girls was because, to be honest, we didn’t play made the initial team, 30 of the players anybody because there was no one in our being underclassmen. According to Head division,” Berg said. “Now all 32 [NFL] teams Coach Alex Henton, this ratio will set the sponsor [flag football] completely.” team up for success in years to come. According to Berg they are now able to “I wasn’t surprised with the amount of do pool play in the different divisions and girls that tried out, especially qualify through there. the underclassmen,” Berg TO BE HONEST In sixth grade her dad, said. Derek Berg, Head Swim I didn’t think I would After originally planning to Coach and science teacher at participate in cross country, be able to play in high SM South reached out to the Freshman Ariel Guenther school. So the fact that SM South Athletic Director pivoted when SM East’s flag it got passed when I was about adding flag football as a football team was official. sport. The AD responded with still able to play, that’s She’s now on the flag football support. something I was very team. “But then once me and my Sophomore Tulie Zahner excited about. dad started reaching out to filled her previously empty the ADs and then past that, fall with flag football. ANNIKA BERG we got shut down like right “I think flag football is a away,” Berg said. junior really fun sport, and since This battle continued it’s the first year, I think up until June of 2026 when everyone’s just [going to] try it out,” Zahner SMSD voted to have flag football as a sport said. in all SMSD high schools. Although it was Berg has played flag football since second sanctioned as a sport in April by KSHSAA, grade and has been on an all-girls team that didn’t guarantee that a school would sponsored by the Chiefs since sixth grade. offer it. Henton reached out to AD Ryan During her first season her team, the KC Johnson in the spring to let him know he was Riots, attended nationals in Las Vegas. interested in a coaching position. “So we ended up being [in] some huge

“

ABOVE Senior Sophie Bruner runs her 40yard dash on the first day of tryouts

meeting where it got brought up multiple, multiple times,” Berg said. “They ended up voting on it this past year.” SMSD confirmed the installment of flag football teams in all high schools in June. So Henton got a call from Johnson. “Let me get home.” Henton said, “I’m halfway across the world, but let me get home, do the interview. One of the big things [he wanted to know] was, What are you gonna do in the first few months? We got to hit the ground running with this.” The program is ready to kick off the first game on Sept. 2 against Lawrence Free State. “I think that in the first game we’ll really see where everything is,” Henton said. “We’ll be a lot more comfortable moving forward, knowing, okay, we have a plan, we know what to expect and how to get better.” This season brings many unknowns especially with the quality and quantity of the opponents. “I’m excited to just get going with the team and like play our games, and mostly just to like after the season’s done, see how many girls are then like advocating to get their friends to play,” Berg said.

sports

AUGUST 31, 2026

design by ELENA HULL photos by FRANCESCA LORUSSO story by ASHLYN VAN BECELAERE

CHEERING FOR SM East cheer should preserve old traditions while creating new ones

M EAST CHEER has been

the same since 1958: the same uniforms, dances and fight song. Our use of cheer families and team bonding traditions have always been a part of our cheer culture. As a cheerleader, I think the traditions are wonderful and unique from other sports and clubs at SM East. Our Columbia Blue uniforms are classic and recognizable; our fight song and band dances remain timeless. Right now, cheer attends football games and both girls and boys basketball games. But why not other sports? The current traditions, like the scavenger hunt and cheer families are nice, and by cheering on more sports, getting new uniforms and creating new team bonding events we can improve the traditions. With the addition of girls flag football, w h y

Avery Folger

Ellen Lund

shouldn’t we cheer them on? If the school can change by adding girls flag football, then we as cheerleaders should too. Or how about lacrosse? Cheer can adapt with the school. As sports are added, cheer support them. As a cheerleader, I love cheering at football and basketball. The atmosphere, music and crowd is a big part of why I love to cheer. But I also know I’d love to be given the opportunity to cheer for new sports and create new cheers for a variety of atmospheres. As cheerleaders, we support the school. This should include all sports — not just two of them. For example, last fall we cheered at boys soccer senior night. We can do more like that. Band senior night, girls soccer, baseball— the list goes on. That’s a new tradition I think could only add to the program. Team bonding can be improved by having team dinners before soccer games, and we can show our support for other sports, not just a couple. One tradition we already have is cheer families, groups of around 10 girls, that help encourage team bonding throughout the season. In each group, we have cheer “moms”— seniors that lead the group. But we’ve had this tradition for years now. It’s time to add a new one. This doesn’t mean getting rid of our old families, but adding on to it. In our cheer families, we participate in our annual summer tradition: the scavenger hunt. Each year, the families turn into teams, dressing up in crazy costumes based on each family’s theme. Last year this meant fast food restaurants, Toy Story and Mario Kart. Then we drive all around Prairie

Bella Drier

Village, and search for random items like expired food or people, like the current cheer moms and dads, or girls who are alumni of the cheer team. The scavenger hunt lasts for two hours and it is a way to bring our team together before cheer camp. This should be expanded on. We could implement cheer sisters, posting new Instagram Reels and TikTok videos, along with cheering for new sports. Our uniforms could also use an update. Cheer has worn many of the exact same uniforms since 1958. As cute as they are, the styles can be updated. With “LANCER” across the chest, paired with a tight or pleated skirt, JV uniforms are the exact same style, just different color schemes. As for varsity though, they have gotten many new, modern styles of uniforms in a variety of colors. They have a new halterneck uniform and a recently designed blue uniform. As I saw more and more of the new styles, I realized the potential for JV and freshman teams. JV and freshman uniforms could have halter necks like varsity, or I’ve seen a cute new style on the Varsity — the biggest brand for cheer and dance uniforms — website with a v-slit in the skirt and a lined pattern. In other sports, like basketball and soccer, every team gets updated uniforms, so it makes me wonder why the cheer program as a whole doesn’t adapt in that way. Cheer traditions are what makes the program special. I love the styles, I think they are cute and I would never want to see them disappear. But these traditions don’t have to stay frozen in time. By updating our traditions, we can create a more modern and supportive front. By getting new uniforms for everyone and cheering at soccer senior night, we are already on the right track. As East brings in new sports and opportunities for students, cheer should embrace the opportunity to grow with it. Supporting more teams, creating new traditions and updating our uniforms wouldn’t take away from our current program, but it would give cheerleaders something new to make their own. After all, the traditions we create today could be the traditions that cheerleaders are talking about in 20 years.

CHEER TEAM STATISTICS Numbers behind the SM East cheer program

teams in the SM East cheer-leading program: varsity, junior varsity, and the freshmen team

hours spent in practice each week for varsity cheer, split across three first-hour periods.

seasons that teams cheer during: fall and winter.

total cheerleaders in the SM East Cheer program.

cheer coaches across all three teams: Laura Buckman, Jacy Williams and Carolyn Salay.

design by ADDIE CLARK

photostory

THE HARBINGER

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Former Highlands Elementary School students reunite for senior photos

RIGHT Senior Bella Tilgner

slides down a slide at Highlands Elementary School Playground. photo by ANASTASIA FLOWER

MIDDLE Seniors Stuart

Boulware and Lucas Steinbacher start to swing after the group photo. photo by LAYLA LOVE

SCAN ME PHOTO Scan the QR code to purchase photos from Highlands Elementary senior photos

FAR RIGHT

Seniors who attended Highlands Elementary figure out poses before getting their photo taken by Becca Spears, Charlotte Spears mother. photo by LAYLA LOVE

RIGHT Seniors

Bella Tilgner, Addy Newman, Charlotte Spears and Mia Mosher make the Highlands Hawk sign with their hands as they pose for a picture. photo by LAYLA LOVE

LEFT Senior Addy Newman takes a photo of fellow seniors Mia Mosher and Charlotte Spears. “It was really weird being back at the playground because it has been redone since the last time we were there. It’s crazy to see everyone back at Highlands.” said Mosher. photo by LAYLA LOVE

alt-copy

AUGUST 31, 2026

WHAT DOES SONG OF THE SUMMER MEAN? “A song of the summer” is the song that was the most popular over the summer and specifically is popular on social media. It’s the song people think of when they think back to the summer.

CAN THERE BE MULTIPLE SONGS OF THE SUMMER? Yes, there can be multiple songs of the summer but there primarily is one big one that everyone thinks of. This is why multiple people will argue over it since they have different opinions on it.

design by EISLEY FOSTER photos by TYLER RUSSELL

ARTIST OF THE SUMMER: Ella Langley was very popular this summer any of her songs could be the song of the summer.

SONG OF THE SUMMER “Make Me Wanna” by Thomas Rhett.

WHY? That’s just chef’s kiss and a beautiful song, it’s perfect for the summer. Country music has become a lot more popular.

“

BRAXTON JEFFREY senior

SONG OF THE Students at SM East share their opinion on their song and artists of their summer

SUMMER “SPRINGSTEEN” by Eric Church was my song of the summer and I listened to it in my car a lot.

ARTIST OF THE SUMMER:

Megan Moroney just because she came to Kansas and everyone knows her songs.

SONG OF THE SUMMER: “We Are the People” by the Empire of the Sun

*Instagram poll of 192 votes

WHY?

Everyone listens to it and it gives off summer vibes. It’s known by everyone and it was a big hit this summer.

“

MAGGIE MCCALL

sophomore

“

IZZY DINKINS junior

DO YOU THINK THERE WAS A SONG OF THE SUMMER? YES

44% 56%

“CHOOSING TEXAS” by Ella Langley because it has been played in a lot of places I went to over the summer.

“

BROOKE SULLINGER freshman