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Debate is Great!: An in-depth look at everything about the upcoming debate season, according to the Varsity debaters

By Preston Hooker

Posted September 20, 2023

Preston Hooker | The Harbinger Online

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Preston Hooker

Junior Preston Hooker has been anxiously waiting to create stories and videos on staff for his second year on staff. When he’s not studying for physics or reading a book for English class you’ll catch him watching every movie he can and constantly talking about them. »

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The Lancer Dancers held their annual pancake break

The Lancer Dancers held their annual pancake breakfast on Aug. 24 at SM East from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The dancers served pancakes, accepted donated clothes, performed and helped apply glitter tattoos to future and current Lancers that were interested. The breakfast is the team’s largest fundraiser of the year, with tickets costing $10 during presale and $12 at the door. The all-you-can-eat buffet included a variety of pancake toppings, served by the dancers. Juniors Bella Broce and Makena Pruitt sang and played guitar at 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. The team collected clothing, linens & bedding that spectators were willing to donate in exchange for a tax receipt.

To view more of this gallery, click the link in bio.

#photobypaigebean
#photobykatiecook
#socialmediabypaigebean

Users of the new “SuperFan” Pep Club app annou

Users of the new “SuperFan” Pep Club app announced on Aug. 14 can now check into school events — from football games to choir concerts — to earn points to compete on leaderboards and redeem prizes funded by Pep Club. While the platform intends to boost school spirit, students and coaches question whether the platform is too unpolished and gimmicky to catch on.

In an Instagram poll of 236 people taken on Aug 19, only 36% of responders had logged into the new app. Those who hadn’t cited glitches in the login stage, as well as confusion about what usernames and information should be used to sign up. Sophomore Owen Williams was able to sign up, but finds the menu clunky and unfinished.

“I don’t see myself using this app,” Williams said. “It’s really laggy and buggy, it’s hard to navigate around and the rewards tab is empty.”

To read more, click the link in bio.

#storybymichaelyi
#socialbyclaraburdick
#photobymollyscott

To kick off the new school year Principal Jason Pe

To kick off the new school year Principal Jason Peres showed off the new plaque for state championships paid for by the graduating class of 2024 and Pep Club, Principal Jason Peres introduced the new pep executives on Wednesday, Aug. 14th. Seniors Maggie Condon, Sophia Beedle, Annabelle Covell, Brady Haughton, Cole Chinnock and Porter Stein encouraged the student body to download the SuperFan app on their phones to learn about school events and to earn points at sports events. Peres went on to recognize different groups of the student body including student athletes, the band, journalists and more. To conclude the assembly the student body sung the school song.

To view more of this gallery, click the link in bio.

#photobypaigebean
#photobycarolinehoffman
#photobywillgriffith
#socialmediabypaigebean

Link Day is the first day for freshmen held on Aug

Link Day is the first day for freshmen held on Aug. 13 and includes relay races and activities to introduce freshmen to the school. The day started off with all freshmen meeting in the cafeteria before getting in groups with their Link Leaders. Link Leaders are Juniors and Seniors who apply the year prior to be selected. After meeting their Link Leaders the freshmen play games and dress up in themed costumes such as ducks following a piece of bread, wizards and many more in classrooms across the school. After link leaders give the freshman a tour of the school they are brought back into the main gym for a pep assembly including games such as balloon relay races and learning school chants. Finally the freshman went to all of their seven classes to meet their teachers and classmates.

To view more of this gallery, click the link in bio.

#photobywillgriffith
#photobycarolinehoffman
#photobykatiecook
#socialmediabywillgriffith

The 66th graduating class of SM East held their gr

The 66th graduating class of SM East held their graduation ceremony on Monday, May 20. The ceremony included speeches from Student Body President senior Jack Kessler and Senior Class President Ryder Hendon, messages from administration, recognition of retiring teachers and recognition of students with a high GPA. Students wore medals and cords that represent different achievements. Each student walked across the stage to shake Principal Jason Peres’ hand and receive a diploma holder. To conclude the ceremony, the choir sang the school song one last time. Graduates then moved their tassel from left to right and tossed their caps in the air.

To view more of this gallery, click the link in bio.

#photobycarolinemartucci
#photobyclarapeters
#socialmediabycarolinemartucci

Congratulations to the Shawnee Mission East class

Congratulations to the Shawnee Mission East class of 2024.

#videobypaigebean

We do not own the rights to the music in this video.

congratulations harbinger staffers.

congratulations harbinger staffers.

When I decided to join Harbinger second semester o

When I decided to join Harbinger second semester of my senior year, my family and friends were confused. I was met with questions like “Don’t you hate writing?” and “Why would you do it if you can’t put it on your college applications?”

I’d never had any interest in journalism and I hadn’t taken an art elective since sophomore year. But when spring semester applications came out, I decided to apply on a gut feeling I’d regret it if I didn’t.

This was my last chance to see what all the “Harbie family” hype was.

#storybyhallieobryan
#designbygreysonimm
#photobyrileyscott

What’s the most difficult sport? A heated debate

What’s the most difficult sport? A heated debate between then-juniors Beck Jones, William Norris and their friends. Jones thought, clearly not cross country. It’s a “baby sport.” All you do is run, couldn’t be that hard, right?

“Beckham, I bet you couldn’t make it through a week of cross country practice,” Norris told Jones.

So Jones took up that bet — an ego bet. Only he didn’t leave after one week.

Two years later, now-seniors Jones and Norris are both running on varsity together and preparing to move to Parkville, Missouri and compete in cross country and track for Park University, continuing to train with their high school coach — Rikki Hacker.

To read more, click the link in bio.

#storybylibbymarsh #pagedesignbykatiemurphy #socialmediabyisabelbaldassaro #photobyrileyscott

After four years, 56 issues, hundreds of hours in

After four years, 56 issues, hundreds of hours in the J-Room and an unthinkable amount of “five minutes” by Tate, the time has finally come. I sit here one final Sunday night staring at my computer struggling to find the right words to wrap up my entire Harbinger experience.

Looking back, I immediately think of one day: my first ads day. 14-year-old freshman me was on cloud nine about making the staff, I was excited for any Harbinger event. So when Catherine, my head editor at the time, approached me on my second week on staff to tell me I was required to sell ads on a Saturday at 10 a.m., I was all in. There was just one small problem: I couldn’t drive.

I sat in the main room brainstorming for 30 minutes, my mind racing for a solution that didn’t involve going into the back room and begging an upperclassman for a ride.

But sadly, that became my reality.

To read more, click the link in bio.

#storybychristiangooley #pagedesignbygreysonimm #socialmediabysydneyeck #photobyrileyscott

Varsity girls soccer will play Shawnee Mission Nor

Varsity girls soccer will play Shawnee Mission North West tonight at 6 p.m. at the Shawnee Mission District Soccer Complex.

#photobycarolinemartucci
#socialmediabyaveryanderson

Varsity boys baseball will play Shawnee Mission No

Varsity boys baseball will play Shawnee Mission North West tonight at 4 p.m. at Olathe District Athletic Complex.

#photobyclarapeters
#socialmediabyaveryanderson

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