Student story: Grown-up roomies

By Jimmy Langton

Sloppy, unkempt and no privacy are just a few of the nightmarish qualities to be apprehensive about when sharing a room with a stranger.

In Flint Hills Publications Workshop instructor Michael Dunlap’s case this doesn’t apply. Dunlap said his roommate was “pretty chill.”

Instructor Barbara Tholen worried about irritating fellow instructor Lindsay Porter.

“She goes to bed at like actual normal people time,” Tholen said. “I’m definitely the Ernie in the Bert and Ernie situation.”

Being anxious to meet your bunk mate for the next four days isn’t just a fear left for kids. Jennifer Funk, an adviser at Shawnee Mission South High School, was relieved she ended up knowing her roommate through a twisting path of connections.

So, what do these advisers and teachers even do while they are at camp and students are having all the fun dancing it up?

“We just teach until we die,” Dunlap said. “We grade papers. We shower twice a day and change clothes twice a day. We’re here doing everything you guys are.”

Funk and her roommate don’t even get to just hang out very often.

“It’s unfortunately due to different, to-do lists,” Funk said.

Adviser minds collide in a collaboration to create one-of-a-kind publications.

“We have been sharing ideas and swapping resources and watching inappropriate YouTube videos,” Funk said.

When asked if he would trade his roomie for anything or anyone in the world, Dunlap simply said “world domination.” Meanwhile, Funk only wished for a usable yearbook theme. Tholen said her only trade up would be if she could spend some time with her son, Fin.

But how would they feel if the almighty Linda Puntney wanted to bunk in a room together?

“Linda and I actually did share a room I think,” Dunlap said. “A while back, but it was a big suite, and I slept on the big pull-out couch.”

Jimmy Langton is a senior at Shawnee Mission South High School and a student in the advanced writing class at the Flint Hills Publications Workshop.