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Gallery: SM East Class of 2026 Graduation
We’re Lancers and…: An interactive map of the Class of 2026’s future plans
And We’re Out! Three seniors share lessons learned and advice for their freshman selves
Gallery: Lancer Lacrosse Defeats Rockhurst 7-6 in Overtime in the LAKC Championship
Off the Record: Unique cords that seniors are receiving for graduation
A Principal of Education: Current principal Jason Peres has accepted an administrative job for the 2026-27 school year
Breaking News: After being shut down due to hackers, Canvas is running again
Election Education: Youth and Government hosted their politics panel on April 28
Locking Down: The SMSD is piloting a lockdown browsers for Canvas
News Briefs: Catch up on school and local news
Breaking News: After being shut down due to hackers, Canvas is running again
Breaking News: STUCO released their 2026-27 sophomore-senior class officers April 10
Breaking News: This year’s prom theme is “A Love Letter to the Cinema”
Breaking News: DECA State Career Development Conference results
Breaking News: Boys Swim and Dive place first in the state
Locking Down: The SMSD is piloting a lockdown browsers for Canvas
News Briefs: Catch up on school and local news
In-Addition: The Shawnee Mission School District won’t fulfill any staffing requests for the 2026-27 school year
Gallery: Lancer Dancer Spring Show
Out of Reach: Non-prescribed Adderall usage among SM East students has increased
News Briefs: Catch up on school and local news
Rental, oh no: Residents in the Kansas City Metropolitan area face trouble renting out for the World Cup
Gallery: No Kings Day Protest 3.0
News Briefs: Catch up on school and local news
Granting Opportunities: Small businesses can apply for micro grants through March 15
Rental, oh no: Residents in the Kansas City Metropolitan area face trouble renting out for the World Cup
ICE Walkout: SM East students protest Immigration Customs Enforcement
Striving for 4.0: Teachers have noticed an emphasis on students achieving high GPAs, shifting the purpose of education away from learning and contributing to grade inflation
What’s the Tea: The Tea App helps women date safely, but can be harmful to men who are posted
A Legacy of Hope: Late SM East alumni Sarah Milgrim is remembered for her impact at SM East and beyond
Off the Record: Unique cords that seniors are receiving for graduation
A Tearful Goodbye: Lancer Dancer Spring Show
Conspiracy Theories: Students explain the conspiracy theories they believe in
Exploring Thrifting: The benefits of thrifting for students and their favorite places to shop
Local Lancer: An insight to senior Charlie Croker’s journey in high school long jumping
Community Clubs: Clubs at SM East allow students to connect with their community and learn about diverse perspectives
Shaping Tomorrow: How students are utilizing school resources to prepare for future careers
Summer Recap: Learn about what Lancers were up to this summer
Finding Harmony: How students at East are expressing themselves with music
Driven to Compete: Junior Wesley Doyle practices go-karting weekly to prepare for competitions
A Tearful Goodbye: Lancer Dancer Spring Show
Senior Spotlight: Brooks Hagedorn
Voting PSA: Your Choice, Your Future
ICE Walkout: SM East students protest Immigration Customs Enforcement
Screening Support: The students behind SM East’s video boards
Senior Quotes: Seniors share their senior quotes and some of the meaning behind them
Off the Record: Unique cords that seniors are receiving for graduation
Local Lancer: Para Professional Bill Bell found a new passion in teaching
Study Styles: Take a look at some of the study methods students are using to prepare for the AP tests
Just Warmin’ Up: Read about teachers’ perspectives on their daily questions and the impact they have on students
EastPN: Charlotte Hardy Episode 5
EastPN: Justin Jones Episode 4
EastPN: Fall Sports Recap Episode 3
EastPN: Lauren Mercer Episode 2
EastPN: Boulware Bros Episode 1
Gallery: SM East Class of 2026 Graduation
Gallery: Lancer Lacrosse Defeats Rockhurst 7-6 in Overtime in the LAKC Championship
Gallery: Boys Varsity Lacrosse Defeats Mill Valley 18-5
Photostory: A Senior Outreach
Gallery: Girls JV Soccer Defeats Lawrence 8-0
Gallery: Lancer Lacrosse Defeats Rockhurst 7-6 in Overtime in the LAKC Championship
Finding Their Beat: Senior Brock Rider is inspired to pursue music and sports from his close relationship with choir teacher Ken Foley.
Gallery: Boys Varsity Lacrosse Defeats Mill Valley 18-5
Connections beyond the court: SM East teachers have a volleyball league called “The Lancer Teachers”
Spotlight on the Beam: Gymnastics is the best pastime, and programs should be rising
Finding Their Beat: Senior Brock Rider is inspired to pursue music and sports from his close relationship with choir teacher Ken Foley.
Connections beyond the court: SM East teachers have a volleyball league called “The Lancer Teachers”
Gallery: Boys Volleyball Defeats BV Northwest 2-1
A New Approach: Overland Park Racquet Club has implemented a new Electronic Line Calling system on their courts
Finishing His Game: A look back on senior Jack Reeves’ football season
Capturing The Miles: Michael Chaffee continues his passion for cross country through photography
Gallery: Varsity Cross Country Twilight Meet
EastPN: Fall Sports Briefing
Gallery: Sunflower League Cross Country Meet
Setting Records: Varsity cross country and track runner, sophomore Charlotte Hardy is East’s top runner at the moment
Finding Their Beat: Senior Brock Rider is inspired to pursue music and sports from his close relationship with choir teacher Ken Foley.
Finishing His Game: A look back on senior Jack Reeves’ football season
Gallery: Varsity Football Falls To Blue Valley West 42-35
Gallery: Varsity Football Falls to Shawnee Mission NW 48-21 on Senior Night
Gallery: Freshman Football Defeats SM Northwest 15-6
Setting the Course: Junior Ella Slicker received the Midwest PGA 2024 Junior Golf Student-Athlete award
EastPN: Fall Sports Briefing
Gallery: Girls Golf Senior Scramble
Video: EastPN Fall Sports Update
Most Valuable Team Player: Fall sports players are recognized for their sportsmanship after being nominated by coaches and teammates
Gallery: Gymnastics Wins First Place at the SMSD District Championship
EastPN: Fall Sports Briefing
Gallery: Lancer Gymnastics Places Third at State
Gallery: Varsity gymnastics took third at Sunflower Tournament
Level 10 at Grade 10: Level 10 gymnast, Sophomore Bella Drier, has competed in gymnastics her entire life and strives to compete on the college level
Gallery: Boys Varsity Soccer Falls to Washburn Rural 4-2 in Penalty Shootout in 2025 6A State Championship
Gallery: Boys Soccer Defeats Olathe East 3-0 in the State Quarterfinal
Gallery: Boys Varsity Soccer Defeats BVNW 5-1
Gallery: Boys Varsity Soccer Defeats Gardner-Edgerton 2-1
Gallery: Boys Varsity Soccer Defeats Olathe East 3-1
A New Approach: Overland Park Racquet Club has implemented a new Electronic Line Calling system on their courts
Gallery: Girls Tennis Banquet
Gallery: Girls JV Tennis Dual vs. Blue Valley High
Gallery: Girls Varsity Tennis Dual
Gallery: Girls Tennis Tryouts
Gallery: Boys Volleyball Defeats BV Northwest 2-1
Gallery: Varsity Volleyball Dig Pink Night
Gallery: Varsity Volleyball defeats SM North 3-0
Gallery: Girls Varsity Volleyball Defeats Bishop Miege 3-0
Gallery: JV Volleyball falls to Gardner Edgerton 2-1
Last of the Line: Senior Henry Zwillenberg has continued family’s hockey legacy
Discipline and Depth: The boys swim team secured a first place win at state due to their depth and motivation from a senior led team
Gallery: Girls JV Basketball Defeats SM South 49-12
Gallery: Girls Varsity Basketball Falls to Olathe South 59-36
Gallery: Boys Swim State Championship Assembly
Gallery: Varsity Boys Basketball Falls to SM South 31-63
Boys Freshman B Basketball Defeats SM South 60-39
Gallery: Boys Varsity Basketball Defeats Olathe West 61-46
Gallery: Boys JV Basketball Falls to SM South 70-41
Gallery: Boys Varsity Basketball Defeats SM West 62-58
Gallery: Girls JV Basketball Defeats SM South 49-12
Gallery: Girls Varsity Basketball Falls to Olathe South 59-36
Gallery: Girls Varsity Basketball Falls to SM South 67-36
Gallery: Girls Varsity Basketball Falls to Olathe West 51-25
Gallery: Girls Varsity Basketball Defeats Lawrence Free State 53-37
Unified Together: The Unified Bowling team gives special education students a chance to participate in athletics and develop relationships with peers
Wrapping up the Season: Update of bowling, wrestling and boys swim and dive as they are wrapping up
Gallery: Boys Varsity Bowling Places Fifth at State
Gallery: Bowling Banquet
Gallery: Bowling Senior Night
Discipline and Depth: The boys swim team secured a first place win at state due to their depth and motivation from a senior led team
Gallery: Boys Swim State Championship Assembly
Gallery: Boys Swim and Dive Wins KSHAA 6A State Championship
Breaking News: Boys Swim and Dive place first in the state
Gallery: Boys Varsity Swim Last Chance Meet
Gallery: JV Boys Wrestling Mixer
Photostory: Season in Focus
On the Mat: The wrestling team bonds through pre-season training
Mohr History: Senior Sylvia MohrSting is the first girls wrestler to place at State
Gallery: Wrestling State Tournament
Gallery: Lancer Lacrosse Defeats Rockhurst 7-6 in Overtime in the LAKC Championship
Gallery: Boys Varsity Lacrosse Defeats Mill Valley 18-5
Gallery: Girls JV Soccer Defeats Lawrence 8-0
Gallery: Boys Varsity Lacrosse Defeats Pembroke Hill 14-11
Gallery: Girls Varsity Soccer Defeats Lawrence 3-1
Gallery: D-Team Baseball Defeats SM South 13-0
Gallery: Boys Varsity Baseball defeats Rockhurst 7-0 on Senior Night
Gallery: Varsity Baseball Defeats Olathe South 6-0
Gallery: Boys Varsity Baseball Defeats Rockhurst High School 9-3
Gallery: Boys Varsity Baseball Defeats Blue Valley North 7-4
Boys Golf Updates
Gallery: Boys Golf Falls to Rockhurst 9-7
Guilty as Charged: the Lancers of spring sports share their “Guilty Pleasure Song”
Gallery: Boys Varsity Golf Places Second in Second Round of Sunflower League
Spring Sports Have Sprung: The spring sports try-out schedule
Gallery: Lancer Lacrosse Defeats Rockhurst 7-6 in Overtime in the LAKC Championship
Gallery: Boys Varsity Lacrosse Defeats Mill Valley 18-5
Gallery: Boys Varsity Lacrosse Defeats Pembroke Hill 14-11
Gallery: SM Girls Varsity Lacrosse Defeats Bishop Miege 15-14
Gallery: SM Girls JV Lacrosse Defeats Bishop Miege 12-0
Bound for Greatness: Junior Paige Stanfield committed to play Division 1 softball at the University of Alabama only seven days after NCAA D1 coaches could start talking to her
Gallery: JV Softball Falls to Free State 19-3
Athlete of the Week: Emma Thomas
Switching up Softball: Coach Mallory Dittemore takes over as new head softball coach and hopes to promote stability and accountability
Guilty as Charged: the Lancers of spring sports share their “Guilty Pleasure Song”
Gallery: Girls JV Soccer Defeats Lawrence 8-0
Gallery: Girls Varsity Soccer Defeats Lawrence 3-1
Varsity Girls Soccer Updates
Gallery: Girls Varsity Soccer Defeats Olathe North 3-0.
Gallery: Girls JV Soccer Defeats Olathe North 4-0
Gallery: Girls Swim and Dive Defeats SM South on Senior Night
Gallery: Girls Swim and Dive Defeats Blue Valley North
Gallery: Girls Dive Tri-Meet
Girls Swim and Dive Updates
Gallery: Girls Swim defeats Shawnee Mission South on Senior Night 262-171
Boys Varsity Tennis Updates: The boys tennis season starts on March 26
A New Approach: Overland Park Racquet Club has implemented a new Electronic Line Calling system on their courts
Gallery: Boys Tennis Defeats Rockhurst on Senior Night 21-9
New Coach, Same Goal: Assistant coach Brian Miller is introduced to the boys tennis team
Gallery: Boys JV Tennis Defeats Lincoln Prep Academy 10-5
Track and Field Updates
Gallery: Track Varsity Relays
Capturing The Miles: Michael Chaffee continues his passion for cross country through photography
Raising The Bar: Junior Cate Conrad recently set a new pole vault personal record of 11’3”
Spears of Experience: As a three time national champion from the University of Arkansas, the new javelin coach Alex Springer is hoping to improve both the varsity and JV throwers
Preston Hooker: Harbinger gave me the ability to work harder than I ever thought possible
Miranda Liberda: Harbinger became my place in high school I thought I’d never find
Sophia Brockmeier: Harbinger taught me that I didn’t have to quit one passion to pursue another
Paige Bean and Will Griffith: Joining staff together allowed us to grow creatively and closer together
Katie Cook: Harbinger was the best experience, but it almost didn’t happen
Taking Blame: Social media companies shouldn’t be held accountable for mental health problems
Unbalanced Studies: More funding must be invested in studying women’s health
Walkout Censor: Proposed statewide sanctions on school protests cannot pass
A Hovering Threat: Amazon’s drone delivery foreshadows machines overtaking jobs
Don’t Risk It: The proposed marketing of nicotine pouches as “lower-risk” is deceptive and fuels teen use
And We’re Out! Three seniors share lessons learned and advice for their freshman selves
Finding Their Beat: Senior Brock Rider is inspired to pursue music and sports from his close relationship with choir teacher Ken Foley.
Preston Hooker: Harbinger gave me the ability to work harder than I ever thought possible
Brian Cappello: English and theatre department teacher Brian Cappello is retiring from SM East and leaving the fun and identity he gave his students
Teaching On: Doctor Jeff Finnie carries his love for languages overseas
Finding Their Beat: Senior Brock Rider is inspired to pursue music and sports from his close relationship with choir teacher Ken Foley.
Haunting, Horrific, Hexed, Hokum: Damien McCarthy delivers a film that’s not only terrifying but has solid cinematic elements
A Fashionable Sequel: “The Devil Wears Prada 2” brought nostalgia with fresh plotlines from the original characters
It’s Game Time: Five New York Times games each bring unique, or disappointing, experiences to gameplay
Drama Done Right: The newest season of “Beef” proves Netflix can still produce a consistently good series… for now
Haunting, Horrific, Hexed, Hokum: Damien McCarthy delivers a film that’s not only terrifying but has solid cinematic elements
A Fashionable Sequel: “The Devil Wears Prada 2” brought nostalgia with fresh plotlines from the original characters
A Perfectly Executed Procedure: The Pitt finale highlights how much of a masterpiece the show has become
The Best Kind of Drama:”The Drama” balances dark humor and romance, pulling in audiences
“They Will Kill You,” has over the top action, but is underwhelming in every other way
The Sweet Taste of Spring: Reviewing the latest refreshers on the Starbucks menu
Coffee+Laughter: Despite the inconvenient hours, Brew Haha’s Coffee is worth the trip
Not So Sour(dough): Despite the wait, everyone should try Slow Rise doughnuts
Melted Expectations: Bahama Buck’s Sno cones are mediocre despite the internet hype
Local Spotlight: Columbia Brew’s Valentine’s menu brings a new take on traditional coffee shop drinks
Drama Done Right: The newest season of “Beef” proves Netflix can still produce a consistently good series… for now
A Perfectly Executed Procedure: The Pitt finale highlights how much of a masterpiece the show has become
Diamond Season: “Bridgerton” season 4 is an addictive and exciting watch
An Upside Down Ending: The “Stranger Things” season five is not worth the time
Back to Hawkins: A review of Volume One of Season Five of Stranger Things
Finding Their Beat: Senior Brock Rider is inspired to pursue music and sports from his close relationship with choir teacher Ken Foley.
All My Love (For The Great Divide): Noah Kahan’s new album, “The Great Divide,” fulfills listeners’ high expectations
Gallery: SMSD Band District Festival
The Catchy Way: “The Way I Am” features irresistible tracks that draw in listeners
A new era: Bruno Mars’s new album “The Romantic” introduces a new style of Mars’s music
Crossword: AP Classes
Wordle: May 14
Wordle: May 7-13
It’s Game Time: Five New York Times games each bring unique, or disappointing, experiences to gameplay
Wordle April 30-May 7
Wordle: May 14
Wordle: May 7-13
Wordle April 30-May 7
Wordle: April 23-30
Wordle: April 9-15
Crossword: AP Classes
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Ellie Van Gorden
All content by Ellie Van Gorden
East for Equality: An Introduction
By
Ellie Van Gorden
September 14, 2015
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