October 2014

Play Game On

Maize vs.

Maize South for the first time in history.

History of Maize Maize continues to grow after a century. Page 10.

Acid on the brain The effects LSD has on the body. Page 12.

Spooktacular job Students dress up and work for a haunted attraction. Page 14.

Maize High School. 11600 W. 45. St. N. Maize, KS. 67101

October2014

r

Table of contents read.watch.play.

Volume 8, Issue 2 | October 2014

Play newsmagazine editor Hannah Henricks Maizenews.com editor Cheyenne Esser Visuals editor Brooke Johanson News editor Nick Mathias Features & lifestyles editor Katie McLachlan Sports editor Justin Noble Advertisements manager Maite Menendez Engagement/assistant news editor Kendra Cunningham Assistant sports editor Delanie Pierce Assistant visuals editor Becca Zinabu Assistant advertisement manager Delanie Pierce Mikaela Stevenson Reporters & photographers Emily Brecht Shelby Carpenter The Thirst Project writes statistics about water in other countries. The Jess Ellis project is a newly established club this year, founded by senior Nicole Savie Hughes Walker. COVER: Photo by Brooke Johanson.

Katie Inman Ryan Kuhl Tori Lemon News Column Si Luc Senior Akim Richards is a Play reporter Hannah Henricks Antonio Melchor semifinalist for the National shares her life changing story Lauren Paul Achievement Scholarships; about her brother-in-law; Ryan Bethany Rich Jay Super’s Plant and Animal Kuhl gives insight to the slang Adviser Science class grow a garden. of today.

Dan Loving

Thirst Project makes their mark

4

10

14 18

8

Now Playing

12

News

Lifestyle

16

Opinion

20

Sports

The district of Maize continues to grow and change rivalries after 105 years of establishment.

Maize seniors Shania Burkhead and Jason Cope work at popular haunted attraction, Field of Screams.

Sports

Football statistics of select senior players are tallied up.

The effects of LSD on the body, discussed with Principal Chris Botts.

Students are not too old to trick-or-treat and should enjoy the Halloween spirit.

Maize High and Maize South football friends share about their friendship and tonight’s game.

Play is the official newsmagazine for and

by Maize High School students. Play is published six times throughout the year. Play is a student publication and a forum for public opinion. Letters to the editor should be signed and around 300 words. The editorials and columns are the sole opinion of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USD 266 Board of Education, the administration, the faculty or the adviser.

Raise your voice Submit a letter to the editor for the October issue to room D18 or mhsnewsmag@gmail.com Printed by City Print.

© Copyright 2014 Play newsmagazine

maizenews.com | OctoberPlay

4 News Richards becomes semifinalist for National Achievement Award

By Bethany Rich

S

the one that he got on the PSAT. Richards must also submit a detailed scholarship application, be recommended by a high school official and a few other small tasks.

Students who receive this scholarship are awarded $2,500.

Corporate-sponsored scholarships are given to the remaining 100 finalists.

Corporate scholarships are scholarships funded by large companies.

Richards was also one of four students to be commended for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Other commended students are seniors Spencer Tammany, Taylor Axtell and Katarina

Ortstadt. These students are not entered for the scholarship but are honored for their academic achievements.n Bethany Rich

enior Akim Richards is a semifinalist for the National Achievement Scholarships competition after scoring high on the PSAT last year. One percent of students in the nation qualify, and the student must also be African-American.

“I think I took like one practice test and I had already taken the ACT before,” Richards said. “I was already familiar with standardize testing.”

Richards will find out in January if he is one of the 800 finalists. He’ll find out in April if he is one of the 700 scholarship winners.

To become a finalist, Richards has to take the SAT and his score must reflect

Senior Akim Richards was nominated for the National Achievement Award.

Science classes grow food for school lunches

B

ehind the south G classrooms, there is a long hallway dedicated to Jay Super and his Plant and Animal Science classes. They are growing a variety of lettuce, peppers, tomatoes and spices.

“My favorite thing to grow is probably lettuce, because it’s the easiest to maintain,” sophomore Justin Jones said.

Plant and Animal Science has not always been a conjoined class. In 2013, Maize decided to join the classes as one.

Super said he got the idea of bringing urban farming techniques to Maize because it’s a great way to teach science.

“It’s hands on and practical,” he said.

Students use a hydroponic system for a majority of the plants that they grow.

Hydroponic systems grow plants using

This design is called the “Foodie.” Nutrient water runs through it to feed the plants.

OctoberPlay | @PlayNewsmag

By Bethany Rich only water and nutrients rather than using soil. This helps make maintaining plants easier. Students taking the class add fresh water and nutrients daily to help the plants grow.

“My brother took Plant and Animal Science his junior year and told me about it, and I thought it sounded interesting,” Jones said.

Jones also is working on a window garden made solely out of recycled bottles.

“It’s changed my view on food, because it’s a different process of thinking,” Jones said. “It is how the plant absorbs its own nutrients from photosynthesis using sunlight and how it gets stored within the roots and just prospers

The “Volksgarden” rotates the plants and soaks them in nutrient water.

from the nutrients.”

Last spring, the school was awarded a $12,500 grant from the Kansas Department of Agriculture to use toward supplies for their urban farming techniques. One of the grant requirements is to incorporate student grown food into school lunch at least twice a month for five months, at any time during the school year. Oct. 6 was the first time that school grown food made it’s appearance in the cafeteria.

“We’re looking at the school calendar, and whenever they have the next available salad, or something that uses spinach, basil or some kind of herb, then we’ll incorporate it in there,” Super said.n Bethany Rich

A student-made hydroponic system sits in the sunlight to help the plants grow.

News 5 These stories first appeared on our website, www.maizenews.com.

Culinary classes serve smoothies Smoothies were being sold during Encor and before school on Sept. 30 and Oct. 28 by the culinary classes. Cara Poole, the culinary arts teacher, had her culinary classes sell the smoothies to the students.

“We wanted to give [students] something in their stomach,” senior Duncan Pepper said, “since most people usually skip breakfast.”

All of the money goes toward the culinary classes. They don’t necessarily need the money, they just wanted to do it for fun. The class sat around thinking of ideas of items to serve that are nutritious, while still tasting good, and they decided upon smoothies.

The culinary classes stated that they plan to continue these sales into the future.n -Si Luc

Taylor wins Lovely Legs contest Senior Matthew Taylor won the Lovely Legs Contest and donated the $60 raised to the Ronald McDonald House.

“It’s different because most guys aren’t known for that kind of thing,” Taylor said.

The Lovely Legs Contest was sponsored by KAY Club to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House, the Kansas Humane Society or the United Nations Relief Fund depending on which charity the winner chose.n -Jess Ellis Sophomore participates in Kansas National Guard Teen Council As a child of a National Guard Colonel, sophomore Allison Wheeler had the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of other military children in

Kansas.

Wheeler is a third-year member of the Kansas National Guard Teen Council, an organization for children with military parents dedicated to developing leadership skills, volunteering and enhancing life for military children and youth across the state.

One of 16 students on the council, Wheeler and her fellow council members act as a voice for military youth.

The council plans and organizes several events for military kids throughout the year, including a summer camp for kids ages 8 to 18 in July.

“I really enjoy being a part of this organization because I like being able to plan these things and then participate in them,” Wheeler said. “It’s a lot of fun.”n -Shelby Carpenter

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1719 S. Hillside Wichita, KS 67211 Mon - Sat: 10-9 Sunday: 1-6

News 7

Maize sees increase in financial aid T

By Jess Ellis

he number of students who are classified as economically disadvantaged at Maize High has increased since significantly since 2005, according to data obtained from the Kansas State Department of Education and Maize superintendent Doug Powers.

The number of students who receive free or reduced-price lunches at Maize High has grown from 4.8 percent in 2005 to approximately 22 percent this year. Powers said 233 students were signed up to receive free lunches in October; 66 receive reduced-price lunches.

The increase could be due to a lot of variables, including the recession of 2008 and more lower-income families moving into the district.

Powers said one reason could be more patrons being aware of the program.

“We think people are just more attuned that there is financial assistance ...,” he said. “Maybe our clientele hasn’t changed; they are just using the assistance that is available to them.”

In the most recent data available from the state, the percentage of Maize High students participating in the program was 6 percentage points higher than Maize South last year.

“We’re beginning to see the Maize campus has higher free and reduced numbers than the South campus does,” Powers said. “So when you look at that statistic alone, things appear to be a little out of balance. Is that the result the whole preference problem that was utilized? Is that the result of geography?

It does give me a cause for concern. I want to delve into it more and try to understand what is driving that.”

Economically disadvantaged %

Year

2004 2005

2010 2011

2014 2015

MHS

4.8

13.8

22

USD 266

8.6

16.7

N/A

47.6

N/A

State 38.2 The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines are based on the household size and the annual or monthly income the household receives. If the household meets these requirements, the student will receive either a free lunch or reduced lunch depending on the situation. Reduced lunches are priced at 40 cents and reduced breakfast are 30 cents.

Applications sent in last year won’t be eligible for the current year and can be sent in anytime during the school year.

If any member of the family is in the military, the income must be included.

However, if the housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization initiative, housing allowance does not count as income. All other allowances must be included in the gross income.n

“We’re beginning to see the Maize campus has higher free and reduced numbers than the South campus does.

So when you look at that statistic alone, things appear to be a little out of balance.” ­­ — Superintendent Doug Powers

maizenews.com| OctoberPlay

8 Column

Battling a relentless fight

By Hannah Henricks

I

believe that people come into your life for different reasons. Some come to stay and other do not.

In 2011, a guy named Myles Gilbert walked into my life. At the time I didn’t realize what kind of impact he would have on me. In that moment he was just my sister’s boyfriend, the quiet guy that kept to himself and who was hard to get to know.

After a year of dating my sister, Myles was diagnosed with cancer. Leukemia to be exact.

Ever since August 10, 2012, many lives have been turned upside down.

Quickly after being diagnosed, Myles found out that on top of cancer he has a serious heart condition. His heart wasn’t strong and not functioning properly.

As fast as he was diagnosed, he was swept away to Kansas City to undergo treatment. After family drama, my sister Haley had to drop everything and go take care of him.

She took a leave from her job, put a

hold on school and halted everything for her love.

Many months after treatment, Myles finally went into remission and came back home to Wichita.

The bliss didn’t last gone.

Myles needed to fix his heart condition and soon went back to Kansas City for a month stay for surgery.

The good news is surgery went well and his heart is as strong as ever.

If it weren’t for the cancer, he would have never known how truly bad his heart was. If they didn’t fix his heart, he would have died by 21.

Life as we know it, was good. Happy, healthy and love. It seemed like that was all that mattered.

When life gets going good, I feel like it is too good to be true.

Earlier this year, after a regular checkup, Myles got the news that his cancer was back.

At this point in life, I couldn’t imagine Myles not being in it. He became so

regular and became a true member of my family.

Haley and Myles talked about getting married down the road and moving in together.

Now their love could be taken away from each other.

Myles began another round of chemo and is fighting for his life and the future.

As of now, Myles is in a study in Philadelphia where they extract his cells, medically enhance them and put them back into his body. If this doesn’t work, there is not another method that doctors have come up with.

To me, Myles is my idol. He manages to smile, crack jokes, laugh and keep a positive outlook throughout the entire ride. I am not joking when I say he has never had a bad outlook on his life.

He is a fighter.

My sister is strong.

And together they will live happily ever after.n Photos submitted by Hannah Henricks

Top: Hannah Henricks and her family participated in Light the Night, 5k walk in support of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Myles received a survivor shirt after his first remission.

Left: Henricks’ sister, Haley, and Myles Gilbert always get together on Sundays to watch the Kansas City Chiefs. This has been a tradition for them for as long as Henricks can remember.

Right: Myles is required to wear a surgical mask to protect against germs when he goes outside.

OctoberPlay | @PlayNewsmag

Column 9

B

ae.

The new word that has taken over social media all around the country. It’s an acronym (most people agree) for “before anything else”.

Most people use it to describe someone or something that they love.

Personally, my “bae” is my family and health.

“Wait...did he seriously just say his family and health were bae???”

Sure I did; those should be before anything else shouldn’t they?

MVP. “You the REAL MVP!”. You hear it often said when someone appreciates something that someone has done for them.

My parents, who feed, clothe, and shelter me.

Without food, clothes, or shelter there’s no way I could be where I am today. So wouldn’t that make them the real MVPs? Squad.

A commonly used term to address your close

group of friends.

My squad is made up of my grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins.

“OK, now this kid is starting to sound really weird.”

No, I’m serious when I say that.

They always have my back, and they’re always there to support me.

My squad isn’t temporary and won’t get separated when we go our own ways.

Now I don’t mean to say that my friends aren’t important to me; they are extremely important to me. They make every day better and entertaining; I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them.

And I also love my social media and the entertainment it provides too.

But what I do mean to say is that in this crazy age of the social networking, don’t forget who the real “baes”, “MVP’s” and “squads” are in your life. Those people who will never leave you and your mental and physical values you hold so precious.n

You got a

By Ryan Kuhl

Photo illustration by Katie McLachlan

bae?

maizenews.com | OctoberPlay

10 Now Playing 12

105 years and counting Over a century after establishment, Maize continues to grow

By Lauren Paul and Ryan Kuhl

S

tarting as a small two-classroom building, founded 105 years ago, Maize High has grown and changed drastically in the time of its existence. It has been housed by three other buildings, aside from the current one.

Hugh Nicks, Maize graduate from the class of 1963, has seen the acres of farms that used to occupy the Maize and West Wichita area transform into giant slabs of concrete and hundreds of suburban homes and stores. Nicks has grown accustomed to these changes but remembers the past as well.

“At the corner of 21st and Maize Road, where the Dillon’s is located, was a dairy farm. A big family had eight children, they all went to Maize. Where McDonalds is across the street was the Weber farm, 11 children, they all went to Maize as well.”

Along with the town, Nicks recalls the school as a different place than it is now.

He attended Park School for a few years, which held every grade from kindergarten through 12th. Park School was the first school ever built in Maize.

Students from past years participate in the activities of Maize.

OctoberPlay | maizenews.com

It was located near where the Maize ricular activities,” Nitcher said. “HowEducation Support Center is currently ever, in the classroom, it’s a lot harder and was built in 1911. It was later torn to get to know students and help them down after Nicks left in 1967. When individually as much as I would like.”

Nicks attended Maize in high school, Today the class sizes have grown and the building was in the current location are much larger than they were when of Maize Central.

Nicks attended the When Nicks graduatschool. ed, there were approxiIn 1981, the school mately 250 students enrollment for Maize enrolled in the Maize was 309. Twenty years district. With only that later the enrollment many kids, many knew increased to 1,515 stueach other. dents. The highest en“We [the students] rollment followed seven Maize High School 2014. grew up together,” he years later in 2008 with said. “Probably from first grade until 2,064 students attending Maize High. graduation, 75 percent of the kids Officials realized that the student enstayed together.” rollment was growing too large for one With all of the different school paths high school. The result was the estabtoday, the chances of 75 percent of a lishment of Maize South in 2009. graduating class staying together since “[The growth] is exciting. I like first grade, is much more slim. teaching in a bigger school. When I Sandy Nitcher has been teaching started, there were about 500 students, French at Maize for 27 years and has which made it easier to know everyone,” seen some changes and growth first Nitcher said. hand.

When she first started teaching in “I like how a larger school gives stuMaize in 1987, the school was in the dents more opportunities for extracurcurrent Maize Middle School building.

13 Now Playing 11 Photos submitted by Dorris Prater

4.

1910’s

1950’s

2000’s

NOW

Sports throughout the years.

A big class size then was around 20 students, that is considered small by today’s standards.

In 1963, 28 students were in Nicks’ graduating class. During that time, the variety of class options were minimal.

“The classes weren’t anything like today,” he said. “It was somewhat limited on what you could take. By the time you were a junior and senior, you had some flexibility.”

Although they didn’t have the class variety, they were able to do more activities at the same time. Much of the student body in Nicks’ graduating class participated in sports and organizations, as well as jobs outside of school.

Like many of the other kids, Nicks participated in a variety of extracurricular activities. He was involved in football, basketball, track, band, choir and was the president of the student body his senior year.

“During halftime at basketball games I would go up on stage and play the trumpet in my uniform,” Nicks said.

Nicks said playing a variety of sports in high school was much easier then.

The school was small enough that there

was not nearly as much competition to get onto a team.

In 1963, Maize sports played in a league similar to today’s. The league included many smaller schools that were in the area, including Goddard. Nicks added that Goddard was Maize’s biggest rival when it came to sports, and they played each other every year.

Now times have changed, rivals have come and gone. Tonight, Maize will face South for the first time.

Head football coach Gary Guzman has coached the Maize team for four years. With all of the talk around the school about the Maize-Maize South game, Guzman recalls other games in the past that have also generated a lot of hype.

“We’ve had a lot of big games, the Salina South game last year was big and the Derby game this year, We’ve had a few games that have hype,” Guzman said.

As far as the upcoming game at South, Guzman says he and his team focus on the task in front of him.

“We try not to look ahead, we try and take one game at a time.”n

“We grew up together.

Probably from first grade until graduation, 75 percent of the kids stayed together.”

Hugh Nicks

@PlayNewsmag | OctoberPlay

12 News 10

LSD

Let’s get technical: The effects of acid on the brain

By Savie Hughes

A

fter stealing the keys to his father’s car earlier this year, a Kansas high school student crashed into a house, a trailer and head on into another vehicle. He killed himself and two women with speculation of being high on Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.

When LSD was first around, it was used as a therapeutic drug for hallucinations. By 1960, it evolved into a way to escape, becoming abused. As time passed, the trend of the drug faded away and the hype lessened. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, in 2013, 3.9 percent of high school seniors have used LSD. “I have been in the education system for 16 years, and I have never worked with students, until this year, who have done LSD,” Principal Chris Botts said.

LSD is unlike many drugs. It does not damage the brain but it significantly

increases serotonin in the body, Kathryn Welch, a pediatric neurology physician assistant in Wichita, said. The body naturally creates serotonin, and if too much is made, it can increase mood swings, make a person become bipolar, suppress appetite and cause sleep and memory loss.

LSD can also cause minor physical effects such as increased blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature. However, the effects on the mind will seemingly bring the user to another world; this is called a ‘trip’ according to National Geographic. The effects of this drug kicks in about an hour after the first dose and can last up to 12 hours.

The user can feel anxiety, paranoia, time distortion and combination of their senses, such as being able to hear colors or smell sounds.

Hallucinations vary from seeing butter-

Parietal Lobe Frontal Lobe

Occipital Lobe

Temporal Lobe

Cerebellum OctoberPlay | @PlayNewsmag

11 News 13

“

”

I have been in the education system for 16 years, and I have never worked with students, until this year, who have done LSD.

flies flying across the room but can instantly change into spiders crawling all over. There have also been instances that the user killed someone out of fear because they hallucinated a devilish creature in the face of a friend.

“LSD, in particular, really scares me,” Botts said. “It’s unlike many different drugs.”

Another side effect is it will give the user the belief that they can do things they are not physically capable of, such as jumping out of a window because they believe they can fly.

“When you are under the influences of LSD, your decision making is gone,” Botts said. “That, in itself, is concerning.”

After the first usage of LSD, the user’s body will become immune to the drug. This could drive the user to undertake a higher dose in order to achieve the first experience.

-Principal Chris Botts

Side effects of a higher dosage will become stronger and more clear. This increases the chances of overdose or even death.

“LSD can have serious ramifications long term,” Botts said. “If you take too much, it can truly impact your memory.”

A user can also have flashbacks later on in life, as an effect of LSD. That person does not have to be on LSD in order to have a flashback. They can occur anytime in the user’s life. It can be 10 days or even 10 years, after the last use.

LSD can stick with user for the rest of their lives.

“If you have never done it, don’t,” Botts said. “Just make smart decisions.”n

maizenews.com | OctoberPlay

14 Lifestyles

A S p o o k t a c u l a r Job

By Tori Lemon

Burkhead, Cope aren’t afraid to work at Field of Screams

H

aunted houses have always been a big part of the Halloween season. However, not many people think about the behind-the scenes-process that goes on in order to make those thrilling walkthroughs come to life.

Seniors Jason Cope and Shania Burkhead just so happen to be actors who work at the haunted attraction Field of Screams, which is on Tyler Road between 37th and 45th streets.

Burkhead’s love for the spooky atmosphere developed when she was young.

“I’ve been around it ever since I was a little girl,” Burkhead said. “My dad is one of the managers there. He helps out with the zombie paintball, and before he did that he worked for the security. It just always seemed fun, and the money is always a plus.”

Cope is a fan of horror movies, which spawned his interest in the haunted house.

“I’ve heard about Field of Screams for many years, but I’ve never gone to visit,” he said. “I decided that since I’m a big horror movie buff, I thought it would be a good experience. I saw an ad back in June saying that they needed people, so I applied.”

OctoberPlay | maizenews.com

The scaring business has started to be a family attraction for Cope. After his second year of working there, his mother auditioned and got a job. She works as a clown in Clown Town, while Jason Cope works out in the field.

“I saw her audition, and it was actually pretty frightening,” Cope said. “I couldn’t even look at her the whole ride home.”

Getting a shot at this horrifically fun job isn’t a walk in the park. Only about a dozen people get hired whenever there is an open position. The ones who do make it to auditions, go through a series of prompts in order to judge the person’s ability to react quickly and creatively.

On-the-spot thinking is a necessity for this job. The first step in the auditioning process is reading the first paragraph of “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe. That person has to read the passage in a “scary” way without seeing the script beforehand. Then the person reads the second paragraph of the same passage but with a random prompt. For Cope’s audition, he had to be a clown.

“It was the most embarrassing moment of my life,” he said.

After about a week, the people who tried out know if they got the job.

Burkhead is an actress in the wellknown Clown Town. She is a distressed, cannibalistic clown.

“I’m actually really terrified of clowns,” Burkhead said. “So it’s weird that I have to face my fear by becoming it.

Cope plays the terrifying role of the chain saw murderer. His signature saying before he starts up his chain saw is, “What sounds does a chain saw make?”

Cope didn’t always start off as one of the main attractions. He had to work his way up the ladder.

“The best part about working there is that I’ve finally to be a part of one of the bigger attractions,” he said. “I originally started out as just someone who just got moved around to different spots. Now I have my own character and location.”

Cope and Burkhead said they have had many memorable moments working at Field of Screams.

“Last year when I worked, there was this bridge area that I had to jump out from underneath scare people,” Burkhead said. “There was an actor’s exit to the left of me. I scared this guy so bad

Lifestyles 15

that he fell down, rolled down the hill and rolled into the actor’s exit. It was really funny because he was trying to act all macho and he told his girlfriend ‘Oh, don’t worry. I’ll go first. This isn’t even scary.’”

Cope’s most memorable moment was a little bit more destructive.

“One time I scared this group of people so badly that they all

tried to get through the door at the same time and it broke,” she said. “I’ve also had two girls that have peed themselves since they were so scared.”

Both agree that it’s one of the most fun and entertaining jobs they have had.

“I definitely want to continue this job for the years to come,” Burkhead said. “I plan to do it until I can’t do it anymore.”n

Students take unique jobs to a new level by combining their acting skills and their love for horror by working at Field of Screams.

Photos submitted by Jason Cope and Shania Burkhead.

@PlayNewsmag | OctoberPlay

16 Opinion

Ghouls Never Grow Up

By Kaite Inman for the Play Editorial Board

T

here is no age limit to trick-or-treat and dressing up for Halloween.

With the recent trends of growing up too fast, trick-or-treating seems to be going out of style. While many teens would still like to continue the childhood tradition, the majority of adults think otherwise. However who is to tell them regardless?

Trick-or-treating is a right that all teens still have and should take advantage of. They are never too old to do something they enjoy and did growing up.

“I think we should try to be young as long as possible,” former Maize student Josiah Richardson said.

Halloween is a tradition that should be continued on no matter your age. It is a holiday that deserves to be celebrated.

Halloween evolved from the Celtic’s festival of Samhain, a festival of the end of harvest in Gaelic culture. Masks and costumes were worn to mimic the evil spirits and trickor-treating became popular for the children to participate in.

Historically, Halloween is when the ghouls come out to play, but modern day enjoyment includes spider webs, dressing up, jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating.

All Hallows’ Eve has been overrun with fairies, monsters, mermaids and sweets.

For some people, such as freshman Mandi Copp, being able to dress up as someone or something they’re not for one night is the best thing.

“I like being able to be a different person since you’re wearing a costume,” Copp said.

Being able to dress up gives you the right to go out and get candy as well. As a kid, spending months just thinking about the right costume was always exciting. Actually going to get

Junior Sandy Carlo strikes a pose in her Halloween costume as Marina from the music group Marina and the Diamonds.

OctoberPlay | @PlayNewsmag

that perfect princess or pirate costume was an adventure.

Creative and unusual costumes are a few reasons why junior Erin Oelze enjoys Halloween.

“I don’t do Halloween just for candy, I like dressing up and seeing people’s reactions,” Oelze said.

Older kids and adults play a large role in trick-or-treating.

Some grew up taking their siblings out or going out with their parents. Being able to continuously go trick-or-treating as teens get older, gives them the same opportunities as their older siblings and parents.

Whether it’s to take your sibling out or not, there isn’t an age limit.

“You’re never too old to go trick-or-treating. Adults go trick-or-treating with their kids all the time,” Oelze said.

Most high school students have said they have gone in the past couple years but won’t be going out this year. As they get older, some grow out of the trick-or-treating life and move into things like bonfires and Halloween parties.

“I wouldn’t say that you’re necessarily too old, I just don’t think that trick-or-treating in general is meant for the older crowd. I think that it’s still fine to celebrate Halloween in a different way,” teacher Betsy Manning said.

Nonetheless, trick-or-treating will always be a childhood memory that teens will carry with them for the rest of their life. Growing up gives them the opportunity to explore around their neighborhood for good treats and adventures.

Dressing up, scaring kids, and of course, the free candy are the most popular reasons for this wicked evening. Trick-ortreating isn’t just for little ones either.

You are never too old to wander around and enjoy your evening with friends and candy from neighbors.

Whether you are in it for the sweets or the nostalgic feel of it, trick-or-treating is bound to put a smile on anyone’s face.n

Senior Susan Forgie sports festive skull makeup for Halloween this year.

Sports 17

State-bound volleyball team excels on court as well as in class

W

ith the volleyball season coming to an end, the Eagles have shown to be impressive.

The team’s overall record is 34-7, going 14-0 before losing their first match. The players believe that their season has proven to be incredibly successful.

“I think our season is going pretty well,” senior setter Tyler Downs said.

“We’ve worked really hard and are just excited to get to post season.”

With the team defeating West and Northwest in sub-state, the Eagles have earned a spot in the state tournament.

However, the teams feels it has a lot to improve on going into the state tournament.

“We need to work on everything honestly,” senior hitter Keiryn Swenson said. “We’re not perfect at anything.

We are good, and I still think we have a ways to go, but I know we can do it.”

By Antonio Melchor The team has noticed the practices getting tougher because they’re playing better but also think the reason they play so well is due to the bond they share together.

The girls’ favorite part about playing on the team is the chemistry they have.

On and off the court, they can be found doing various activities together.

“We’re all like sisters on the court, so it’s fun to play with them,” Downs said.

“We know what each other are going to do, and it’s just more fun to play on a team like this.”

Not only are they succeeding at volleyball, all five seniors are in the top 10 percent of their class and are involved in National Honor Society.

Coach Betsy Manning has stressed to the team how important it is for them to keep their grades up.

“We check the grade list every week, and whenever someone is on it we let

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them know immediately,” Manning said. “Luckily that doesn’t happen very often.”

However, the road to keeping good grades, along with practice, has not been easy.

“A lot of busy work and time has to go into it, and I think everybody else can agree with me, we don’t have much time off for ourselves,” Swenson said.

This year’s volleyball team has been a very special group of girls for Manning, and with that she said she has a lot to be proud of.

“There’s a lot of things I’m proud of that this group has accomplished, but I’m most proud of the work the girls have put in the classroom and on the court,” Manning said. “This is a great group of girls, and I’m very proud of everything they’ve done this season.”

The Eagles made their state debut at 8:30 a.m. today in Topeka. n 1. Volleyball team huddles up during a game against Campus.

Along with skills on the court, the team also has been great academically.

2. Senior Keiryn Swenson spikes the ball at a home game against Salina South.

3. The volleyball team celebrates scoring a point against Campus.

Photos by Si Luc

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Sports 19

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enior potlight

Connor Lungwitz Lungwitz, who has been the starting quarterback since his sophomore year, has orally committed to play baseball at Wichita State but is still considering his options for college. He is the Maize record-holder in several offensive categories. This season, he has thrown for 2,107 yards.

He also rushed for 48 yards. He has a total of 22 touchdowns.

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Reed Wheeler Wheeler, a defensive back, is starting varsity for the first time this year. As of this point in the season, he is tied with Elijah West for the team lead in interceptions with two. He has made 25 solo tackles with 23 assist. Wheeler has caused two fumbles with one recovery. He is tied in leading the team for deflecting passes with blocking a total of two.

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Gabe Chavez Chavez is playing for Maize for the first time, having gone to Campus for previous years. With the little time he has had here, he has meshed well with the team and is one of Lungwitz’s favorite target. He has 630 yards receiving and 51 rushing.

He has scored six times.

Chavez will sometimes be on kick return and he has run for a total of 64 yards.

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Elijah West West is coming back from a torn ACL in his left knee. He is leading the team in tackles with 48 solo and 39 assists.

He has five tackles for a loss. He has two interceptions. He has also been playing on both sides of the field. On offense, he has racked up a total of 24 yards receiving and rushing. He has returned punts for 86 yards.

20 Sports

FRIENDVS.FRIEND Friendships put on hold for district rivalry

By Shelby Carpenter

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onight, with helmets strapped on and cleats laced tight, teammates will take the field under the Friday night lights. At the line of scrimmage, friends shall become rivals and a battle will be fought for the ultimate victory. The Eagles and Mavericks will battle it out in a district showdown at South’s football stadium, likely determining who continues on to the 5A playoffs. It’s the first time the Eagles and Mavericks will meet on the football field in a varsity game.

For many high school athletes, competing against their best friends in sports would be a challenge. However, for some Maize and Maize South players, that is far from the truth. A few seniors from each team share why their friendships are stronger than football.

HIFrom CKS AND LUCE the tender age of 5, Clayton

Hicks and Tucker Luce have been a part of each other’s lives.

“We met at home-school swimming lessons at the YMCA and we’ve just been hanging out since then,” Hicks said. “We played t-ball together. We go to the same church. We are in the same small group. When we were home schooled we studied a lot together.

We’ve been on some college visits together. We spend the night at each other’s houses. We’ve had Thanksgiving with each other’s families. We are really good family friends.”

The two have helped each other learn and grow, each benefitting from the friendship, Luce said.

“I used to be super, super shy,” Luce said. “Clayton would make me meet new people. He was really good for me and he made me more outgoing, which just benefitted me overall. I mean, when it comes to certain things he’s the opposite of me. He makes me uncomfortable in a good way. He stretches me.”

Photos by Katie Inman Layout by Emily Brecht

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Not only are Hicks and Luce looking forward to the Halloween game, but their families are as well.

“They [our families] are excited for the two Maize schools to play and are really excited to see me and Tucker finally play each other,” Hicks said.

“I know our moms are excited that they get to see both of us play at the same time,” said Luce. “Actually, they would’ve loved if we could have played together, but they’re excited for this game.”

This game will be the first time Hicks and Luce have ever competed against each other in sports. With Hicks on the defensive line and Luce playing offensive line, the two friends will be going head-tohead.

“I think this will help our friendship by finally competing against each other,” Hicks said. “I think during the game it will be like all bets are off and we aren’t friends for a day.”

“I could see myself going easy just because it’s Clayton, but on the other hand I could see myself being more physical than I normally am because it’s Clayton,” Luce said.

Regardless of the outcome, both players agree that this competition hasn’t and won’t affect their friendship.

“Football is just a game. There’s a lot more to life, like friends.

Friends are more important than football,” Luce said.

MANGUM AND KELLER Moving to a new school district, Ryan Mangum didn’t come out of his shell until he met Brady Keller. The two met during eighth grade football and immediately connected. They participated in sports together throughout middle school and continued to get to know one another well.

“We were around each other all the time,” Keller said. “And with wrestling,

Clayton Hicks

Clayton Hicks, Tucker Luce, Alex Lee, Connor Cook, Ryan Mangum and Brady Keller believe their friendships are stronger than a game.

we were always doing sports together.”

After middle school, Mangum attended Maize and Keller attended South.

Despite the split, Mangum and Keller have maintained a positive and healthy friendship to this day.

“We hang out a lot; we talk; we still call each other for anything we need,” Mangum said. “But with school and sports, it’s not an everyday thing.”

Much like Hicks and Luce, this game

will also be the first time Mangum and Keller go head-to-head in football.

Mangum plays defensive tackle and Keller is on the offensive line. Both players also agree that the outcome of the game will not affect their friendship.

“It’s going to be interesting. I mean I’m not going to go soft [on him],” Keller said. “It’s going to be really interesting to see how this game plays out.

It’s going to be different. It probably won’t be [difficult] to play against him, because we wrestled against each other a lot in middle school.”

Whether it is Maize or Maize South that wins, Mangum and Keller said they plan on supporting their friend if their team does not continue on.

“Maize is Maize, somebody will bring back something,” Mangum said.

game is positive and a chance to ease some of the uproar.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Cook said.

“We’ve always talked about playing because everyone’s always been saying, ‘Oh we would win,’ or ‘No we would win,’ so now it’s like, fine, let’s settle this.”

Additionally, Lee believes the game is a nice opportunity to ease tensions between the schools.

“Its such a big rivalry right now and it’s like all the tension is rising before it,” Lee said. “I think once the game is over it’ll calm down. It’s like the game is the climax. All the intensity of everybody and all the tension will die down a bit.”n

LEE AND COOK Alex Lee and Connor Cook have been

Tucker Luce

close friends ever since they met during a middle school science class.

“We had some classes together and just hit it off,” Cook said.

Even though they have attended separate schools for the past four years, Lee and Cook hang out often and maintain a strong friendship.

“I just like hanging out with him,” Lee said. “He’s fun to be around. We go over to someone’s house and just chill out. It’s always fun.”

The two have discussed the game in anticipation for the showdown. They believe that each team has their respective strengths and weaknesses, but the game will not change much between the schools.

Cook believes the

Above: Seniors Alex Lee and Connor Cook.

Below: Seniors Brady Keller and Ryan Mangum

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22 Photo Focus

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Photos by Brooke Johanson, Delanie Pierce and Cheyenne Esser

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Photo Focus 23 1. Senior Mia Taylor runs for a touchdown during the powderpuff game on Oct. 22. The seniors beat the juniors 18-12.

2. Senior Matthew Prater dresses up as Indiana Jones for a homecoming skit. He defeats jungle animals in the process of rescuing senior Crosbie Moody, trapped in a treasure chest. Prater and Moody won Homecoming King and Queen.

3. Senior Gabe Chavez dances as a girl during the pep assembly for his homecoming skit on Oct. 23.

4. Juniors Andrew Wilcox, Tara Wade and sophomore Sadie Landwehr participate in Wild Wednesday by wearing their favorite footie pajamas on Oct. 22.

5. Senior Ricardo Gonzalez runs for the ball, followed by a Valley Center player. Maize fell to Valley 28-14 on Oct. 24.

6. Seniors Dylan Jones and Connor Lungwitz practice their Jersey Auction skit in the auditorium while also dressed up for 'Merica Monday on Oct. 20.

7. Seniors Rachel Brand and Grant Risinger perform in the first annual Cochella for Homecoming week on Oct. 23 before the bonfire.

8. Seniors Kendal McGuire, Alex Lee and Keaton McGuire play cops in their Jersey Auction skit on Oct. 21.

9. Red Rage participates in the 2nd annual homecoming parade on Oct. 24.

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By Brooke Johanson

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