The Harbinger Online | Opinion/Editorial

Online version of the Harbinger: Shawnee Mission East's student newspaper, a 2004-2006 Pacemaker and Gold Crown winner.

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Since there are many aspects of students to consider other than SAT scores, colleges should start erasing the emphasis
BY EDITORIAL STAFF

One score on a standardized test doesn’t say all that much about a high school student.
Sure, it shows how a good of a test taker the student is and how they handle the basics of math, science and language.
One score does not measure a student’s high school curriculum. It does not account for the classes they took, the extracurricular activities they participated in or their interests. One score gives only the narrowest views of a student’s potential.
But even though it fails to show much more than basic aspects of a student, for over half the colleges in the nation, this could be the most important thing on a college application.
A study report released in September by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, with representatives from colleges such as Harvard and Georgetown, have called for a de-emphasis on the ACT and SAT in college admissions.
It’s hard to disagree. As colleges begin to look at the importance of standardized testing, high school students should call for a de-emphasis of SAT and ACT scores when applying for college too.
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After having a stress-induced panic attack and being diagnosed with chronic migraines, senior realizes what is really important
BY BERNADETTE MEYERS

I can’t feel the right side of my body. It’s tingly and weak like when my foot falls asleep, but it scares me because it’s 4 a.m. and it won’t go away.
I try to stand, to shake it out, but instead, I fall back in bed.
No balance.
This is weird.
Then my left side loses feeling too. Instantly. Weak. Now I’m scared. I urge my right arm to move just an inch, just so I know I have control. I feel like I’m swimming through Jello, because my arm just flops over my body. I can’t control it.

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Student finds himself inspired after Lance Armstrong announces his return to competitive cycling
BY JEFF RUTHERFORD

It was over three years ago when I rode around my block on my bike, helmet strapped on, impersonating the voices of Al Trautwig and Phil Leggitt as I rode. I was inspired to be a cyclist, to ride in the Tour de France, to be one of the greatest of all time. My fascination with the sport of cycling was all because of one man: Lance Armstrong.
During the summer, from 2002 to 2005, I lived for the Tour de France. I waited in anticipation every year until the middle of the summer for the race to begin so I could watch one of my favorite athletes of all time. Armstrong was simply incredible.
I loved watching him beat his rival, Jan Ullrich, year after year, and fight off young, fierce competitors like Ivan Basso in his final years on tour. I had never seen an athlete like him and I’m yet to find another.
After winning his record holding seventh Tour de France in 2005 Armstrong left cycling, and my interest in the sport went with him. It simply wasn’t the same race without him.

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Chief's dismal start shows their need of a personnel overhaul
BY CONNOR TWIBELL

I am a devoted Chiefs fan, and at the moment, an embarrassed one to say the least. Whenever the Chiefs would play at home back in the Dick Vermeil days, they always had the advantage of having one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, Arrowhead Stadium. It always helps to have one of the loudest crowds so that the opposing team’s quarterback can barely hear himself talking to his center or teammates. If his teammates can’t hear him change the play, then that will lead to mass confusion, which is good for the Chiefs. But after having a losing record the last three years, that advantage is close to gone. Arrowhead used to be our 12th man, our extra player, but that was two years ago and this is now.