A neon student section fills the stands of the boys soccer first soccer game at home.
Meeting the New Teachers
By: Hudson Axtell
Teachers are undoubtedly the unsung heroes of the world; without them, we would be nowhere in society. They are responsible for the education of so many, and some go above and beyond to foster great attitudes for students to flourish everywhere. With the new year, three wonderful faculty members have joined our ACHS family who are guaranteed to inspire and educate numerous students at the school. These new teachers are our new counselor, Mrs. Echer, who mentors the people with the last name A-E, Mr. Carpenter, who teaches various history classes, and Mr. Gomez, who teaches art.
Our counselors help each and every student attending ACHS, and Mrs. Echer, an avid Diet Dr. Pepper fan, is sure to be nothing short of a wonderful advisor for everyone here. “I love the college and career piece [of counseling]... If you come in this office and you’re like ‘I just don’t know what I want to do…’ I promise you I could probably spend three hours figuring that out with you,” Mrs. Echer said. It is apparent that she is beyond dedicated to students and helping them figure out their future. Outside of work, she spends time with her twins, who are two years old and loves to be around her friends and family.
Taking on the remarkably daunting task of heading the art department here, Mr. Gomez has nearly 20 years of experience in art teaching under his belt and is passionate about helping students find meaning in their lives through art. “I always felt like art was something that gave me peace. Whenever I had a moment of free time I would often be drawing in my sketchbooks, ” Mr. Gomez stated. With his experience, endearing love for art, and the teaching of it, as well as the fact that he will be coaching the JV basketball team, Mr. Gomez will be a perfect fit for ACHS.
Last but definitely not least, Mr. Carpenter, who is not only new to this school, but also new to his career, teaches Modern World History, US History, and World Geography! As someone who sees teaching as more of a calling, Mr. Carpenter is incredibly passionate about teaching and helping others. “ I have always had a passion for seeing people achieve their best in what they do, and also the love for mentoring,” Mr. Carpenter said. Beyond this, he loves history, especially Medieval history, and enjoys movies, video games, and football. Mr. Carpenter is sure to be a spectacular teacher, so don’t be afraid to say hi!
Each teacher at this school has their own value, so it is pertinent that we celebrate new faculty and make them feel as welcome as possible. As these teachers adjust to the new community, make sure to say hi in the hallways!
Fall Sports
By: Ellie Damico
The first week of September is when fall sports really start to take off. Football, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Girls Golf, and Cross Country have been preparing most of the summer and all of August in order to perform to the best of their abilities this 2024 season.
“Our key to success this season is the chemistry we have on the field and the special bond we all have,” says Jace Jefferson, senior quarterback. Despite their success, there were many injuries on the football field last season. Some of the team's strongest players were out for a significant amount of time. Gaige Hurley, senior, has been working hard to get back, “Physical therapy twice a week and personal training three times a week. As well as soft tissue work two times a week and a joint appointment once a week.” It is essential for the Jags to have all their players healthy as there are many difficult games on their schedule this year. “I’m most excited for the Eisenhower game, I think it’s gonna be hyped up a lot. They’ve got a really good receiver and quarterback,” says Brody Degarmo, senior.
Boys soccer has been training and conditioning all summer to get ready for their upcoming season. They have high hopes for themselves this year, coming back from being league champions three years in a row. “A big thing that we’re looking to accomplish is becoming more than just a team, we want to make sure that we’re all looking out for each other and putting our best foot forward in order to have a successful year,” says Sawyer Aluise, senior. With everything they have going for them, the boys are hoping to make a good regional and state-run this season.
Now on the girl's side of things, the tennis team has some new faces, as well as some old ones returning. Doubles state champion in the 2022 season, Bryer Geoffroy, senior, is making a comeback after taking the previous 2023 season off to play golf. Her Doubles partner this year is Reese Wilborn, sophomore. They have high aspirations for this fall season, “I hope to win state with my amazing doubles partner Bryer Geoffroy,” says Wilborn.
Girls golf has been taking time to perfect their technique in the driving range, as well as getting a few holes in on the course. “My favorite part about golf is being able to golf with friends and our great coaches and get better everyday,” says returning senior Payton Devlin.
Cross Country is a treacherous sport that can be often overlooked. Not only physical strength and endurance is required, but mental as well. Time off is not something they have a whole lot of leeway with. “The preparation has been great, I worked very hard to have a successful season. My goal for this season is to place well every meet, and hopefully make it to state,” says Tinley Sims, sophomore.
All teams are looking very promising this season. Make sure to try to get out to every sporting event to support your fellow classmates. Good luck to everyone on a successful and healthy season!
The Olympics
By: Addison Bacon
This summer, the 2024 Paris Olympics went down in history as countries rode down the Seine River during the Opening ceremonies, as opposed to the usual arena setting. Breakdancing was a new event in the Olympics, adding even more energy and excitement to the festivities. This year, Team USA brought tons of talent, ready to dominate across a multitude of events. This includes Simone Biles, who had a comeback no one could have predicted two years ago. After getting the Twisties during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as well as dealing with self-doubt, Simone took a long break from the gym, but she came back ready to win more medals for Team USA. In Paris, she took home three Golds (Women's All-Around, Vault, Team All-Around) and one Silver(Floor). Katie Ledecky, a well-known distance swimmer, took home two gold medals, one of which was in the 1500 where she won by over ten seconds, and the other in the 800. She has now won nine Olympic gold medals, the most in history for a female swimmer. In other events, Quincy Williams ran the 4x4 at the age of 16. He became the youngest Olympic gold medalist in track. The US won a total of 125 medals: 40 golds, 44 silvers and 41 bronze medals. Overall, the US did a phenomenal job in each event. All countries participating in the 2024 Olympics gave it their all and did a fantastic job, we look forward to seeing how the next Olympics compares!
Foreign Exchange Students
By: Reese Fleming
The Foreign Exchange Program brings in students from across the world to introduce them to the American education system and the overall high school experience in the United States. The program offers students an opportunity to travel to various states, live with a host family, and attend high school as a normal student.
This year the school has brought in two new foreign exchange students, one from Italy and the other from Finland. This number of students is smaller than in the past but is an important addition to the school.
Azzurra Bertozzi has traveled from Italy to be a part of the school and experience the endless activities we offer. “I decided to do a year in America because I enjoy traveling and experiencing different things for myself, I also want to improve my English”
The program also brought Siiri Kihlman from Finland, “I chose to do the program because I am very interested in discovering new cultures and traveling. This program is an extra year for me, so I want to make the most out of my experience. I am looking forward to all of the school events, especially the football games and school dances.”
High school in America is more than just the high levels of education it has to offer, but also the unique experiences that come with it, such as the various school events and the opportunity to learn more about American culture. The program not only allows students from other countries to experience the culture here in America but also allows American students to interact with and learn from the students who have traveled so far to be a part of the school year. The school is so lucky to be able to offer the opportunity to welcome students from all over the world to attend Andover Central and experience all it has to offer.
Senior Sunrise
By: Klay Shank
On August 15th, ACHS welcomed this year’s batch of seniors. As the class of 2025 began to gather outside the stadium bright and early, they faced a locked gate. However, this obstacle didn’t stop them from getting to experience the age-old tradition that is Senior Sunrise.
Whilst waiting for the keys, a group of guys stepped up and decided to make pancakes for the rest of their grade. They set up their griddle and supplies right outside the gate and delivered freshly cooked, delicious pancakes to anyone who wanted one.
That was until Principal Grier came to the rescue. Key in hand, she walked to the gate and let all of them into the stadium. The sun, at this point, had already risen, but they were not going to let this kill their spirits. Groups of friends sat together on blankets scattered across the football field, talking and taking photos. This was a moment to remember. A few of the girls understood this and decided to make a photo prop. All this took place to commemorate their last, first day of high school. The students, both elated and anxious, prepared to go back to school in a mere matter of hours.
Rootin’ for Rita
By: Bella Hunsberger
Exuberant, passionate, and dedicated were just a few of the words people used to describe Rita Frakes here at Andover Central High School. After her seven-year battle with cancer, Mrs. Frakes passed away this past July 5th surrounded by friends and family. Her contagious laugh and bright smile are missed in the hallways, but her unbreakable spirit continues to live on. When speaking about the memorial, Senior Adleigh Stedman shared, “There were a lot of people that showed up, and it just showed how many people she touched.” Rita Frakes made an immeasurable change in so many lives during her 41 years in education. Breckin Carmen, Junior, fondly remembers Frakes’ humorous spirit, “I think my favorite memory was meeting her freshman year and making a sign that said ‘best class ever’. She loved us so much, and we loved her as well.”
Mrs. Frakes was the embodiment of every wonderful thing here at Andover Central. Her classroom was a safe space for countless students and she was everyone’s number one fan. “I loved her so much. She was just always having a friendly face, and she was just the ultimate support system for anyone that needed her for any reason. It was great to get adjusted to a new school while having someone like that, who was truly invested in the kids and in helping me adjust,” said Mrs. Sprague when asked about her experience working so closely with Frakes. The impact of this woman can not be expressed in words; we can not measure a life so incredible as hers in days or years. Instead, she is remembered through the lives she changed and the people that she loved and was loved by. Andover Central will never quite be the same in her absence, but it is undeniable that her impact will continue to make this school a better place.
Freshman First Day
By: Isabella Hunsberger
On August 14th, Andover Central’s pride gained a new litter of cubs. Luckily, these new kids had an eager bunch of juniors and seniors ready to show them the lay of the land. Link Crew focuses on building strong relationships between upper and lower-classmen. This new group emerged this year to lead younger students, not only on their first day but throughout the entirety of their freshmen and sophomore years. When asked about her favorite part of being a Link Leader, Senior Payton Devlin shared, “It’s fun to see and talk to them in the halls when they recognize me from their first day.” Having this type of unity at Central sets up the best possible atmosphere for students. As the new students took their first steps into high school, they had a clear understanding of what it means to be a Jaguar from the examples set in front of them.
The 8 a.m. bell marked the start of the first assembly of the year, fostering the relationships between Freshmen and Link Leaders through exciting games and chants. Afterward, everyone was broken up into groups for some more personal activities with their Link Crew groups. “All the upperclassmen did a great job at making everyone feel included, and it made it a lot easier for me and a lot of people I know. Between all the yard games and the things we did in the classrooms, it was an easy transition,” said Chase Crumley, one of the incoming freshmen. Beyond the Link Crew activities, freshmen experienced their first classes where they began getting to know both their teachers and peers. After a long day, students enjoyed popsicles and good conversation with friends. The inaugural group of Link Leaders and the new freshmen certainly made their mark on Andover Central’s history.
Rumble In The Jungle
By: Lauren Pritchett
Every year once a year everyone at ACHS comes together on a Saturday in September for Rumble in the Jungle. It is an annual tradition that Stuco organizes where everyone in the school can have some fun and play games. This year's Rumble will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Each class has its animal to which they have to make a totem. The teams this year are Seniors as panthers, Juniors as peacocks, Sophomores as seahorses, and finally Freshmen as worms. The student council puts together all the games and explains the rules of the games. In the end, the grade with the most points wins.
Over the course of the night with games going on, we had cheers in the stands. We had games like Slip n’ Slide Musical Chairs and Table Boat races run by Stuco. Towards the end of the night we had the Powderpuff event. Powderpuff is when the girls from each grade play flag football coached by the boys in their grade. All the grades compete against each other to win. First place wins fifty points, second wins thirty, third place wins twenty, and finally, fourth wins ten points.
Every student did well and put up a fight during games, we had one winner. The Senior Panther’s ended up winning the night usual to last year, the reigning champs. Everyone did well to be involved and participate in different games. It was a fun night for the whole school. Next year’s games and totems are sure to only get better with time.
Opening Borders
By: Hope Juhnke
Andover Public Schools are known for their exemplary testing scores, above-average college readiness, and quality of student life. Many families have moved to Andover Districts to enroll their children in the schools as Andover has progressed. Prior to the Open Districts bill passing, there were only two ways to get into an Andover school: a student/parental guardian lives in the district and supports the tax base or a guardian works at least twenty hours a week in the district for a minimum of nine months. This past January, a new policy was put in place that means any student eligible to attend a public school within the state, regardless of whether the student is a district resident, can enter a waiting list for a district based on its capacity.
Andover Central was lucky enough to gain ten Freshmen and one Junior through out-of-district enrollment. As Open enrollment is based on capacity, new students who move into the student/have guardians working for the district are added to capacity, and then out-of-district students can be fit into any open spots. Overall, over 60 new students are attending ACHS, and more than 30 are left to attend other districts or states. Principal Grier stated, “All of our new students have been amazing. They want a quality education just like every student. All of our new students, both in district and out of district, have been great!”
Hummingbird
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By: Hope Juhnke
Hummingbirds have represented beauty and spiritual transformation across the American continent for centuries. In Native cultures, hummingbirds are messengers of happiness and healers of the sick. The Aztecs saw the hummingbird as a sign of a good warrior. There are 330 species of hummingbirds that have been discovered as of today, all exclusively living naturally in the Americas. This unique bird is the only bird with the ability to fly backward as well as upside down. This September 7th was National Hummingbird Day in the United States. Whilst September 7th is the designated day for hummingbird awareness, families at home can year-round plant flowers or hang hummingbird feeders to help advance the hummingbird population.
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Speeding Ticket Fiends: Hummingbirds can fly 55-95 km/h on average, making them only 15 km/h slower than a cheetah.
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Antisocial- Hummingbirds hate traveling with their families and friends, and prefer to fly solo without having to interact.
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Hangry angry Birds- Hummingbirds, like teenagers, are very vulnerable to anger and territorial acts of aggression when hungry.
According to National Geographic
Summer Overview
By: Briar Geoffroy
Summer 2024 was very eventful and exciting for plenty of the students. Many traveled near and far and had amazing experiences along the way.
YoungLife is a Christ-centered ministry that aims to help students learn about Jesus. Every year, they host a camp in various places around the United States. Many students attend this camp, and seem to always have a positive experience. The YoungLife institution hosted a camp in Utopia, Texas this year.
“I had a great experience at Young Life camp, the camp unity and meeting people from all over the country is a very special experience. I got to know many people including Twann, James, and Big Mike. I will cherish this experience forever,” says JT Short, senior.
While some students went on organized vacations like YoungLife camp, others went on more sporadic trips to the lake. Positioned about four hours away from Andover, Table Rock Lake is a very popular, and well known, location among many students.
“I went to Table Rock with about ten of my friends. My favorite part of the lake was being able to be on the boat and jetski all day,”says Jace Adler, senior. Getting the opportunity to travel to the lake with multiple of your friends is a moment that is cherished forever.
Along with amazing and exciting vacations, many students got to experience seeing their favorite artists live at concerts. Concerts are an extremely special and exciting event to be able to go to, and it is certainly fun to see so many students have the opportunity to attend them.
Zach Bryan has certainly blown up in the past couple of years, and he has become very popular among students. On August 20th Zach Bryan came to Kansas City. “I have never seen Zach Bryan in concert before, it completely exceeded my expectations because I was not aware “Revival” would be played for 18 minutes, and I also got to go with one of my favorite people,” says Brynn Bachura, junior.
The Indie artist, Hozier, came to Kansas City to play in an outdoor amphitheater on August 9th. An outdoor concert is not very common, and it creates an unreal experience. “I have been a fan of Hozier for about 8 months, and would rate the concert a 10 out of 10 because of the outdoor setting and getting to experience it with one of my best friends,” says Jack Weidler, senior.
With her new album coming out just about a year ago, Olivia Rodrigo came to Kansas City to play live for her fans. Rodrigo’s album GUTS had all 12 of its songs in the top 40 of the Billboard Top 100 chart.
“This is my first time going to an Olivia Rodrigo concert, and I would give it a 9 out of 10 because it was such a cool experience and I went with one of my best friends,” says Ava Sizemore, senior.
Charli xcx’s “brat”
By: Hudson Axtell
On June 7th, 2024, Charli xcx released her new album, “brat.” Preceding this, Charli released four smash-hit dance singles that set the tone for the album; a fun, catchy, and a little bit trashy, hyperpop record inspired by the club scene. Most notably of the singles was 360, whose music video featured current icons like Julia Fox, Chloë Sevigny, Emma Chamberlain, and more. With these singles, and genius marketing from Charli and her team, people on TikTok and other social media platforms were abuzz talking about this album, with a plethora of trends surfacing around the internet.
Once the album released, it debuted on many music critic websites extraordinarily high, with Metacritic giving the album a 95, making it one of the top 20 albums on Metacritic of all time. The album was hailed as a spectacular work of art, with iconic references throughout the work, and a masterful balance of personal and raw lyrics with campy club production.
People on social media were also enjoying it, with many changing their profile pictures online to the signature album cover template, and changing the cover’s text (which would say a polarizing ‘brat’) to their usernames. Remixes were dropped with the likes of Lorde, Addison Rae, Skrillex, and more; which made the album all the more fun and got people talking about it. On TikTok, the term ‘Brat Summer’ was coined using the album's sound to create a vision for others to strive for that Summer. Dances and sounds from the album continued to go trending everywhere, and it even went as far as Kamala Harris using it as trajectory for her 2024 campaign. The album's revolutionary sound made a stamp on pop culture this summer and cultivated an era that won’t soon be forgotten.
90s Grunge
& Its Influence on Today
By: Hudson Axtell
From the rise of the internet to many great shows like “Friends” debuting, the 1990s was undoubtedly a revolutionary decade, and the time was especially potent in pop culture, but one area of which was completely transformed – music. During the 90s, the rock scene saw a complete transformation in its sounds, morphing into a new subgenre called grunge. Not only did this less-than-popular genre change completely but it also became wildly favored in society.
As 1991 rolled around, the band Nirvana released their lead single for their record “Nevermind”, Smells Like Teen Spirit. Unknown to the band members at the time, the song would blow up, catapulting them into fame, and it would turn a formerly niche music genre (and its clothing style counterpart) into mainstream popularity. The band members included Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic – who all dressed in layered, worn-down clothes that went against the grain and set a new precedent for what style could be.
With Nirvana’s insane success, other grunge bands gained popularity as well; bands like Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, Hole (with Kurt Cobain’s girlfriend as the lead singer), and more all rising with almost equal attention in the media. Grunge music usually consisted of self-deprecating, angry lyrics with a nihilistic attitude towards society — something that resonated with many people at the time. Grunge music’s murky and mad sound was something that represented the pessimistic bitterness many young people held in the 90s. Even so, many of the lead singers in these bands, who were responsible for creating such incredible music, ended up taking their own lives — Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, and Chris Cornell being just a few of them.
Although the popularity of this attitude has died down quite a bit, it still affects many adolescents and young adults today. Grunge and its influence on the 21st century is seen almost everywhere. In our school, it isn’t unlikely to find a student wearing a Nirvana t-shirt, or taking on other references to the 90s with baggy clothes, Doc Martens, and more — whether they know of the reason it became popular is besides the matter — it shows that even people that weren’t alive to experience the signature “brand” of the 90s still strive for it, and even resonate with the music created during the time.
