DRESSed to the Nines
Written by Maddy Mikinski · May 4, 2012
Prom, one of America’s most iconic high school dances, got its start in the late 1800s.The original idea for prom came from debutante balls. In the 1800s, when a daughter from a wealthy family reached the age of 18, her family threw a huge party for her to announce her entrance into polite... (more...)
Student Sections
Written by Maddy Mikinski · March 26, 2012
Every school, big or small, has one. It shows up to all the games and cheers its team onto victory. It’s the student section. This group (or mass in the case of BLHS), has its pros and cons—especially when state basketball comes into the equation. The Express caught up with two Basehor... (more...)
Fourth Graders Have All the Fun!
Written by Maddy Mikinski · February 6, 2012
It’s 7:55 am at Linwood Elementary School–the quiet before the storm. Michelle Riffel prepares her room for her 4th grade students. She’s been teaching at Linwood for 26 years so she knows her way around. Riffel projects a few morning math problems on the wall and makes sure she has... (more...)
It’s Called ‘No Parking’ For A Reason
Written by Maddy Mikinski · January 19, 2012
Once upon a time there was a stairway. Hundreds of people climbed it every day to get to school because it was the only way out of the parking lot. Unfortunately, someone parked their humungous SUV in the stairwell. Yes, they totally ignored the white line surrounding the stairs and... (more...)
Remember STUCO?
Written by Maddy Mikinski · January 19, 2012
It’s the same thing every year. We elect representative in for Student Council only to forget about them a month later. STUCO’s official duties are organizing fundraisers and dances and coordinating spirit weeks. While students are having fun at Homecoming or dressing up in crazy outfits,... (more...)
Tones and Phones Contest!
Written by Maddy Mikinski · January 17, 2012
Nowadays, you rarely find someone without a cell phone. They impact our lives in so many ways it’s hard to imagine life without them. Phones help us wake up in the morning, keep us entertained, and basically keep track of our lives. These electronics are so popular around the teen set that... (more...)
Basehor’s Fresh Face
Written by Maddy Mikinski · January 6, 2012
Depending on whether or not you frequent the English hallway this year, you may have seen a new face amongst the teachers. This is Tara Bowser. The Gardner-Edgerton and, more recently, K-State graduate teaches everything from freshman English to Individualized reading. Bowser didn’t always... (more...)
A Whale of a Time
Written by Maddy Mikinski · October 6, 2011
Tripping over a whale isn’t the first problem that comes to mind when thinking about walking through a field. For an East Yorkshire man, it should probably be added to the agenda. About half a mile from the Humber Estuary in the English countryside, a whale was found…washed up? Scientists... (more...)
Enrique ‘Euphoria Tour’ is a Success
Written by Maddy Mikinski · October 4, 2011
On Monday, Enrique Iglesias made his first trip to Kansas City since 2000 as part of his Euphoria Tour. With him came fellow artists Prince Royce and Pitbull. Iglesias performed his well known songs (Tonight I’m Lovin’ You, I Like It, Hero) along with some ones that weren’t as widely... (more...)
The Help–Review
Written by Maddy Mikinski · August 24, 2011
One of the most anticipated movies this summer has been The Help. This movie, based on the book by Kathryn Stockett, follows the stories of three women living in Jackson, Mississippi during the 60s. They’re all party to the prejudice and discrimination towards black people–two of them are... (more...)
Justin Bieber’s Female Reincarnation?
Written by Maddy Mikinski · April 5, 2011
This week’s biggest internet sensation is Rebecca Black, a thirteen year old hailing from Anaheim Hills, California. Her career started when her mother payed Ark Music Factory two thousand dollars for a song and a music video. The song ‘Friday’ was chosen. The video, considered one of... (more...)
Academy of Country Music Awards
Written by Maddy Mikinski · April 5, 2011
The 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards Ceremony was ruled by Taylor Swift on Sunday night when she took home Entertainer of the Year. Fellow Country Queen Miranda Lambert also had a good night with awards for favorite female vocalist, record of the year, song of the year, and video of the... (more...)
Japan’s Tsunami
Written by Maddy Mikinski · March 15, 2011
On March 11, Japan was hit with an 8.9 earthquake. The epicenter was 250 miles north-east of Tokyo. So far the death toll is 350 but 500 are still missing. Experts say that this is one of the worst earthquakes since 1900. One of the main problems surrounding the quake is the abundance of... (more...)
What’s Next for Glee
Written by Maddy Mikinski · March 1, 2011
With last weeks ‘Blame It on the Alcohol’ Fox’s Glee is becoming even more provocative. Next up is ‘Sexy’ where Gwyneth Paltrow returns to be McKinley’s Sex-Ed teacher. There will also be more tension between Emma and Will. This episode will include Kiss (Prince). Do You Wanna Touch... (more...)
The Eagle
Written by Maddy Mikinski · February 24, 2011
Channing Tatum has always been marketed to teen girls. The star has appeared in chick flick after chick flick. It doesn’t come as a surprise that he’s decided to go a different route. The Eagle definitely is not a chick flick. The story, set in Roman times, follows Marcus and his slave... (more...)
Pennies for Patients
Written by Maddy Mikinski · February 14, 2011
Until February 21st National Honors Society will be hosting a Pennies for Patients fundraiser benefiting cancer victims. To receive points, drop coins into the special coin receptacles in your advisories. Points can be taken away by adding bills. For example, if another advisory has twenty... (more...)
Grammy’s
Written by Maddy Mikinski · February 14, 2011
After watching the Grammy’s Sunday night, all I can think is ‘where’s Kanye when you need him’. As Cee Lo performed his…uh…awe inspiring Forget You looking like a glorified peacock, I kept anticipating an ‘Ima let you finish’. Unfortunately, no such luck. That much is... (more...)
Glee’s Return
Written by Maddy Mikinski · February 14, 2011
Glee’s season has been, in short, disappointing. Power couple Finn and Rachel broke up, followed by the probable end of Sam and Quinn. The songs have also been lacking. This has been shown in Glee’s return after the Super Bowl. This return has thousands of things wrong with it but here... (more...)
The King’s Speech Review
Written by Maddy Mikinski · February 7, 2011
A new movie hitting the theaters recently is the historical drama ‘The King’s Speech’. This award winning film recounts the ascent to the throne of King George VI of England after his brother’s abdication. A cast reminiscent of Harry Potter brings this story to life. Helena Botham Carter... (more...)
Finals Schedule
Written by Maddy Mikinski · December 14, 2010
Ever since the beginning of December, we have been counting down the days to the 23rd (aka the first day of break). Unfortunately, the gateway to that awesome break is finals. Every year finals are two days of non-stop tests. Not this year, Ms. Reeves and the rest of the administration have... (more...)
Meerkat Heist
Written by Maddy Mikinski · December 2, 2010
On November 4, Kansas City Zookeepers were shocked to discover one of their meerkats had gone missing. The zoo has three separate groups or “mobs” which interact as they do in the wild. When separated from a mob, a meerkat will get hysterical. This is a problem that the thief would have... (more...)
Kansas Sampler Foundation selects Eight Wonders of Kansas People
Written by Maddy Mikinski · November 2, 2010
Thousands of Kansans logged onto the Kansas Sampler Foundation website recently to vote on the Eight Wonders of Kansas People. This week, they announced the winners. They are: Amelia Earhart (Atchison). Earhart was the first woman to cross the Atlantic in a plane. Buffalo Soldiers (Fort Leavenworth).... (more...)
Swift releases new album, which is diary of last two years
Written by Maddy Mikinski · October 27, 2010
On October 25, country-pop singer Taylor Swift released her much-anticipated third album, Speak Now. Swift described this as her “diary of the last two years.” If one wants an inside look at Swift’s life they must only look as far as this CD. Swift’s music has taken a more mature... (more...)
Underwood concert includes flying pickup truck
Written by Maddy Mikinski · October 27, 2010
On October 16, country music legend and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood came to the Sprint Center. Her incredible concert included movable tree branches, an electronic ball gown, and, no lie, a flying pickup truck. Opening for Underwood was new and coming band Sons of Sylvia and country... (more...)
‘Duets’ episode is best Glee of new season
Written by Maddy Mikinski · October 14, 2010
On October 12, Glee aired its ‘Duets’ episode. In this episode, Puck goes to “juvie” which forces an opening in the club. Former quarterback Sam is recruited. Mr. Shu announces that New Directions is doing a duet competition. The couple with the best duet gets dinner for two at exclusive... (more...)
Raising Hope a funny new comedy on Fox
Written by Maddy Mikinski · October 12, 2010
This fall, Fox television premiered a number of new series’. Among these was a show called Raising Hope which was strategically placed after the award-winning Glee. On Hope, Jimmy Chance works with his dad and cousin as pool cleaners. One night, on a run to the store, Jimmy runs into... (more...)
Saturday Night Live opens 36th season
Written by Maddy Mikinski · September 30, 2010
On Sept. 25, guest host (and former cast member) Amy Poehler opened Saturday Night Live’s 36th season with musical guest Katy Perry. All of last season’s cast members, excluding MacGruber star Will Forte and Jenny Slate, returned. New cast members include Vanessa Bayer, Paul Brittain, Taran... (more...)
Classics come with a “twist”
Written by Maddy Mikinski · September 30, 2010
Most everyone has either heard of or read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but not many have read it with main character Elizabeth Bennett being a ruthless zombie hunter. Yes, this is for real. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has started a whole new movement of altered classics. If you... (more...)
Glee opens season two with several plot twists
Written by Maddy Mikinski · September 28, 2010
On Sept. 21, one of the most-anticipated fall shows aired for the first time since early summer. Season 2 of Glee starts off when the students return from summer break. They are ready to bask in their new star status, even though they didn’t place at regionals in the finale of season 1. Unfortunately,... (more...)
Cast list for Seussical The Musical announced
Written by Maddy Mikinski · September 17, 2010
Finally, the highly-awaited cast list for this Fall’s Seussical The Musical has been released. For those who have seen Horton Hears a Who! this production will be similar to that but include many other characters from Seuss’s books. Cat in the Hat-Alexander Pedroza Jojo-Maya Cooper Horton-Jacob... (more...)
Parody of Twilight falls short
Written by Maddy Mikinski · September 2, 2010
A Twilight parody? It seems about time. Well, that’s what I thought when I first saw the commercial. I’m not a lover of Twilight, so this seemed like the movie for me. I counted down the days and almost saw it on opening day. The Monday after it came out, I went to see it. I walked into... (more...)
Will season two of Glee live up to the first?
Written by Maddy Mikinski · September 1, 2010
As we wait for the first season to come out on DVD, we wonder whether the second season of award-winning Glee will live up to the standards set earlier. Those standards include great musical numbers, creative choreography, and clever story lines. All cast members will be returning for season... (more...)