Senior Column: ‘Never let the little things pass you by.’
Sara Naatz, Co-editor
May 4, 2012
It’s Monday morning again. What a joy. That awful moment when your alarm starts blaring that god-awful sound over and over and over again. That split second of indecision when you have to choose between smashing your alarm clock or pushing your unwilling body out of bed. Subconscious mind... Read More
Having no opinion is better than expressing an uneducated opinion
Sara Naatz, co-editor
April 13, 2012
Here it is: my opinion about not having an opinion. Brought to you by all the people who can’t walk away from an argument, even when they have no idea what they are talking about. I’ve been ribbed on various occasions for being “apathetic” because I do not have an opinion on every issue.... Read More
School district, some community members at odds regarding fate of Stanley Nature Park
Sara Naatz, Co-editor
March 30, 2012
The school district continues to modify plans for the possible attainment of the Stanley Nature Park from the Johnson County Parks and Recreation District. Meanwhile, community members protest the acquisition of the park, which would be added to the land of the BVHS campus. At a public hearing... Read More
Journalism staffs qualify for State
Sara Naatz, Co-editor
March 30, 2012
After competing on Feb. 23, 16 students from the Yearbook and Newspaper staffs qualified to compete in 13 categories at the Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA) state competition in May. Staffers competed in either on-site writing competitions or carry-in competitions for photography... Read More
Stanley Nature Park public hearing outlines plans, citizens speak against plan
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
March 2, 2012
In July 2011, the BV School District proposed a plan to acquire the land of the Stanley Nature Park from the Blue Valley Parks and Recreation District. The current plan would add 40 acres of land to the BVHS campus and includes four practice fields for the high school softball, soccer, and... Read More
A Modest Proposal by Pierre Dukan
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
February 24, 2012
Pierre Dukan is pretty much a genius. In his book, An Open Letter to the Future President, released Jan. 5, he made a recommendation to the future president of France: give high school students grades based on body weight. As France prepares for its next election, Dukan will be sending copies... Read More
Scholars Bowl team wins State
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
February 24, 2012
On Saturday, Feb. 11, the Scholars Bowl team won its second consecutive 5A State championship. The team, consisting of juniors Calvin Cochran, Asim Zaidi and Jamie Brower, sophomores Luke Chen and Ajay Subramanian and freshman Luke Conners ended its season with a record of 70 wins and six losses. The... Read More
Scholars Bowl team to attend regionals
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
January 27, 2012
With a record of 50 wins and six losses, the Scholars Bowl team prepares for the regional competition which will take place on Thursday, Feb. 2. Last year, the Scholars Bowl team was named 5A State Champion, and sponsor Adam Wade says the team hopes to continue with this same level of success. Juniors... Read More
Scholars Bowl team to attend regionals
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
January 27, 2012
With a record of 50 wins and six losses, the Scholars Bowl team prepares for the regional competition which will take place on Thursday, Feb. 2. Last year, the Scholars Bowl team was named 5A State Champion, and sponsor Adam Wade says the team hopes to continue with this same level of success. Juniors... Read More
Boys soccer team takes second place in State championship
Sara Naatz, Co-editor
November 11, 2011
The boys soccer team went head-to-head with the Liberal Redskins on Nov. 5 in a fight for the State championship. The first half began with several runs by seniors Taylor Walter and Cole McCubbin, giving BV players a few chances to score. In the 16th minute, McCubbin scored a goal with an assist... Read More
Students should put down the tech and enjoy face-to-face conversations
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
October 27, 2011
There’s no doubt text messaging, email and Facebook play a huge part in communication today. Whether it’s an email to an employer, a text to your mom or a Facebook message to a best friend, technology continues to change the way we ex- change information with one another. According to an... Read More
Paranormal Activity 3 meets and exceeds expectations set by previous two movies
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
October 25, 2011
When I looked around the theater in the middle of Paranormal Activity 3, I couldn’t help but laugh. I am not going to lie — I have never seen a guy with muscles that big get so scared. But that’s the beauty of Paranormal Activity 3. It may not have the best plotline or the most unexpected... Read More
BVUSD considers plan to expand BVHS campus
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
September 1, 2011
The Blue Valley School District is currently seeking community input as its members consider a plan to expand the BVHS campus into Stanley Nature Park. The plans include purchasing the park, behind the BV tennis courts, from the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. On Tuesday, Aug.... Read More
Introduction: The Basics to Life
Sara Naatz, Co-Editor
August 16, 2011
In math, you learn how solve for x and find the volume of a sphere. In science, you learn the chemical formula for sodium chloride and the function of a nucleus. In communication arts, you learn grammar and the difference between a simile and a metaphor. Cool. You will graduate high school... Read More
Boys golf takes second in State
Sara Naatz, Co-editor
May 25, 2011
The BV boys golf team took second in the 5A state golf championship with 296 points. Graudates Dakota Clark, Michael Kreamer, and Greg Graves, and juniors Whit Buckler, Austin Johnson, and Rick McCaw played on the state team. Johnson finished seventh for individuals, Clark finished eighth,... Read More
Reports of tornados in area, students take shelter
Sara Naatz, Co-editor
May 25, 2011
BVHS students were ushered to designated safe-zones in the school during fifth hour to take cover from possible tornadoes in the area. According the the National Weather Service, law enforcement officials spotted a tornado on the ground near 132nd Street and Metcalf Avenue. The tornado warning... Read More
BV students and staff take shelter during tornado warning
Sara Naatz, Co-editor
May 25, 2011
BVHS students were ushered to designated safe-zones in the school during fifth hour to take cover from possible tornadoes in the area. According the the National Weather Service, law enforcement officials spotted a tornado on the ground near 132nd Street and Metcalf Avenue. The tornado warning... Read More
Local restaurant closes, inconveniences student workers
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
May 6, 2011
At 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 3, Blue Moose restaurant managers called senior Anna Kebe and the rest of her co-workers in for a morning meeting. They provided breakfast for the employees and checked to make sure everyone was in attendance. Kebe had just gotten a job at the restaurant. She was... Read More
Band brings home 8 awards after trip to Colorado
Sara Naatz, managing editor
April 13, 2011
The band brought home eight awards from the Winter Park Ski Music Festival in Colorado this past weekend. The concert, symphonic and jazz bands all earned superior ratings in competition. The concert band went on to be named runner-up in their division and the jazz and symphonic bands took... Read More
Boys golf team places third in tournament
Sara Naatz, managing editor
April 9, 2011
The boys golf team placed third out of 18 teams yesterday in the Free State High School golf tournament. Seniors Greg Graves and Dakota Clark and junior Austin Johnson led the team. Graves and Clark each shot at 75 and Johnson shot one over par at 73. Clark said the varsity golfers work well... Read More
Love for travel inspires senior to pursue education in multiple foreign languages
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
April 8, 2011
Hello. Salve. Hola. Bonjour. Words of four different languages swim through senior Joseph Davies’ head as he attempts to pick the right ones. During his high school career, Davies has taken a semester of Latin, three years of Spanish and four years of French. He said his passion for world... Read More
Girls basketball places second in 5A State tournament
Sara Naatz, managing editor
March 12, 2011
The girls basketball team took second place in the 5A State tournament today, with a loss of 48-37 against St. Thomas Aquinas. Point guard senior Aerial Smith said BV went into the game feeling both excited and nervous. “We were a little jittery,” she said. “But that’s... Read More
Teacher’s expectations hold students to high standards
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
March 9, 2011
Stop. A red light looms overhead. You see the sign — no U-turns. The green left-turn arrow flickers on. You glance around cautiously to check for cops. None in sight. You slowly snake around the median into an almost-graceful U-turn. In a second it’s over — no penalty, no harm done. No... Read More
Ronald McDonald House service event planned for Feb. 24
Sara Naatz, Managing editor
February 18, 2011
Students seeking an opportunity for community service can go to mobile 7 on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. to prepare snack packs for Ronald McDonald House guests. The snack packs will include foods such as crackers, cookies, granola bars, fruit snacks, pretzels and chips. Students who participate... Read More
From the soundbox to the screen — Staff combines different ideas to create each episode of Tiger TV
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
February 18, 2011
“Zoom in on Montague.” “He’s too bright.” Someone leaps up to make the proper adjustments. “Better.” “Is it in focus?” “Yeah. Yeah, it’s in focus.” The first episode this semester of Tiger TV debuts two days later during lunch, displayed on the screen above the PAC... Read More
Are you a hipster? (Quiz)
Sara Naatz, managing editor
February 4, 2011
You’ve got the beanie and skinny jeans, but are you a true hipster? 1. You listen to indie music and often find yourself saying, “I liked that band before they were popular.” 2. You shop at Urban Outfitters and/or American Apparel. 3. You put a great deal of effort into looking... Read More
Coaches face challenges of working off BV campus, balancing tough schedules
Sara Naatz, Managing editor
January 28, 2011
It’s 4:30 p.m. A black sedan pulls into the Blue Valley parking lot and a man dressed in soccer attire slides out. Junior varsity soccer coach John Dale hurries to the field, barely making it to his girls practice. Dale is a husband and father of three kids, all under 10 years old. He is... Read More
CAPS program limits students’ exploration of careers
Sara Naatz, managing editor
December 16, 2010
Oh the CAPS program. Center for Advanced Professional Studies. So advanced, in fact, that it may be a little too advanced for high school students. It’s not that we’re incapable of this higher level thinking or using the amazing technology that has been provided for us there. What I mean... Read More
BV hosts district band festival, students compete for state band
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
December 10, 2010
Fifty-six schools, 96 band directors and 550 students came to BV on Saturday Dec. 4 for the annual Northeast District Band Festival. Seniors Skyler Trieu, Will Retz and Kenneth Tysick; juniors Matt Cooper, Meera Chakravarthy, Tim Smith, Austin Ferguson, Mark Nichols and Turner Smith and sophomores... Read More
BIONIC club promotes drug-free life
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
November 5, 2010
Fifteen kindergarten students sat huddled up on a blue and red rug, staring with big eyes at four BV students. The elementary school students listened intently as the Believe It Or Not I Care (BIONIC) club members, sporting their bright orange shirts, told them the story of Red Ribbon Week. The... Read More
Boys soccer team defeated by Seaman in quarterfinal
Sara Naatz, managing editor
November 3, 2010
The boys varsity soccer season ended with a 2-1 loss to Topeka Seaman in the state quarterfinals on Nov. 2. During the first half, senior Tyler Dixon scored the first goal of the game, putting the Tigers up 1-0. The score remained until the second half when the Vikings came back to score two... Read More
Girls tennis team wins state championship
Sara Naatz, managing editor
October 17, 2010
After placing first at regionals, the girls tennis team earned the title of state champions this weekend in Emporia for the first time in BV history. Seniors Ashley Tiefel and Audrey Coventry played each other in singles in the championship round. Tiefel won and placed first overall. Junior... Read More
Misuse of ibuprofen, aspirin linked to health risks
Sara Naatz, Managing editor
October 14, 2010
Before the big race, before the big game, many high school athletes nonchalantly pop a few ibuprofen or aspirin to ease pain or prevent pain onset. These two pills, both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are capable of alleviating many types of pain in the body. However, the misuse of... Read More
Positively charged: Stroke generates better life perspective for teacher
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
September 26, 2010
t was like any other day for chemistry teacher Neerav Shah. It was 2005, and he and his wife walked around their hometown of San Francisco without a care in the world. After a few challenging months for the couple, it seemed as if things were starting to look up. Suddenly, their leisurely walk... Read More
Changes at BV put school morale in question
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
September 26, 2010
Every morning I pull into the parking lot at Blue Valley, swerving to avoid hitting the red van parked a few spots down from me. I walk past the lunch room, resist my urge to get a bagel, head to my first hour down the 400 hall, through the Avenue of the Arts and the crowded and noisy junior... Read More
Girls tennis team continues strong season
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
August 26, 2010
The girls tennis team won their second game Wednesday, Aug. 25 to make their record 2-0. The Tigers beat Blue Valley Northwest 9-2, with seniors Ashley Tiefel and Audrey Coventry, juniors Nicole Baith and Payton Meyer, sophomore Jessie Alexander and freshmen Jenny Moon and Shivani Patel playing... Read More
Girls tennis team wins close match against St. Thomas Aquinas
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
August 25, 2010
The girls tennis team started out their season with a 5-4 win over St. Thomas Aquinas on BV’s home courts. Seniors Ashley Tiefel, Audrey Coventry, sophomore Jessie Alexander and freshman Shivani Patel all won their matches against Aquinas. Highlights from the game included Alexander’s comeback... Read More
Fall Sports Night this Wednesday
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
August 24, 2010
Wednesday, Aug. 25, Blue Valley will host its annual Fall Sports Night. This is a night for athletes and their families to purchase Tiger spirit wear and kick off the fall sports season. Girls tennis will host a match for Fall Sports Night, while for other sports, such as soccer and cross country,... Read More
BV to host Fall Sports Night this Wednesday
Sara Naatz, Managing Editor
August 24, 2010
Wednesday, Aug. 25, Blue Valley will host its annual Fall Sports Night. This is a night for athletes and their families to purchase Tiger spirit wear and kick off the fall sports season. Girls tennis will host a match for Fall Sports Night, while for other sports, such as soccer and cross country,... Read More
BV Forensics team places sixth in state, different personalities combine for team’s success
Sara Naatz, Multimedia Editor
May 10, 2010
The debater. Known to be persuasive, argumentative and opinionated. The actor. Aims toward pleasing an audience and being a true performer. These two personality types come together to make up the Blue Valley Forensics team, which placed 6th in the state tournament with five students placing... Read More