AHS Booster, Dec 2022

For the past ten years, Kim Funston has maintained the position of head cheer coach for the Abilene High School Cheer Team.

Funston has coached many girls with different skill levels which has ultimately led them to being chosen to compete at the Kansas State Cheer Competition held in Topeka, Kansas. This event is a selectiononly competition for schools that are ranked from 1A to 6A.

“We are competing against some of the top cheer programs in the state and deserve to be running for this honor,” Funston said.

Preparations for the competition and the selection of the squad happened long before the day itself. Throughout football season, required cheer camps, and previous years, the coaches watch

SPREADING CHEER Christmas

for cheerleaders who stand out and improve the most and who will help them bring home a state trophy or medal. The team finds out on October 1st if they are able to compete, and then began practices during the middle of October.

“The [State] squad is chosen based off of performance, commitment, and overall crowd leading abilities,” Funston said.

The State Cheer Team required strategic training both in and outside of practice to ensure that the team had proper endurance to give their all at the Kansas State Cheer competition.

These cheerleaders dedicated at least four weeks to consistent running, multiple routine run-throughs, and time in the gym to build up

their stamina for their final performance. These practices also ensured that the girls could run off the mat with the same energy they spirited on with.

“Conditioning for performance is a little bit more intense. Performance requires full energy and a higher level of crowd leading,” Funston said.

Senior Summer Crouse is a two-year member of the State Cheer squad. Besides being on the squad, she is also a football cheerleader who makes sure to give her all when performing. Crouse is very dedicated to the sport, and often gives her experienced advice for newcomers who get chosen for the team.

“I was on State last year, so I feel like going into this year I can really calm my nerves down; I can really put my knowledge that I know from last year and really apply it to this year to get us prepared for everything that we are going to face,” Crouse said.

Unfortunately for the team, they did not make it into the top six to compete in the finals. Regardless, the State Cheer Squad put forth a tremendous effort and represented AHS in both an exciting and a positive way.

Booster’s Holiday Playlist

Our staff put together a playlist based on AHS students’ favorite holiday classics!

AHS Booster

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Mariah Carey

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Thurl Ravenscroft

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Brenda Lee

Last Christmas

Wham!

Jingle Bell Rock

Bobby Helms

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Michael Buble

Baby It’s Cold Outside

Idina Menzel, Michael Buble

Santa Tell Me

Ariana Grande

Winter Wonderland

Bing Crosby

Sleigh Ride

The Ronettes

The State Cheer Squad flaunts their banner at the Kansas State Cheer Competition. Back row: Zoe Cox (10), Reese McCullough (10), Jentree McGivney (11), Rylee Jamison (11), Allison Rose (10), Gabrielle Fouliard (11), Emilee Ediger (10), Rylee Colby (9), Grace Klockner (9). Front row: Ava Crist (11), Sonya Ketcher (11), Evelynn Ediger (12), Zoe Millner (12), Summer Crouse (12), and Mia Johnson (11).

The State Cheer Team waves their poms during their Kansas State Cheer Competition routine. This competition was held on November 19.

Photo credits: Mrs. McGivney

by Jaycie Mohr

Ho Ho Ho! CowboyJoe! Nothing Beats These Holiday Treats!

The Cowboy Joe candidates are gathered together in celebration of RJ winning the Joe title. The 2022 candidates were Grant Waite (from left), Braden Wilson, RJ Vopat, Triston Cottone, and Ayden Taylor.

Hoisted upon the shoulders of his fellow classmates, senior RJ Vopat celebrates his victory of winning the title of “Cowboy Joe.” The celebration was held during the Friday of Cowboy Joe Week, where students of all ages participated in Four Square, Just Dance, Kahoots, and more, leading up to the Cowboy Joe crowning.

Junior Charlie Hylton guessed that his candy cane was either Blue Raspberry or Blueberry flavored. It was actually Kool-Aid Tropical Punch flavored. Charlie thought it would taste better if the flavor “bursted” a bit more, and he ended up rating it a 7 or a 7.5.

Freshman Zoey Costigan thought her Spree flavored candy cane tasted like: Cherry, Jell-O Cherry, and Sweetarts Cherry. For her next candy cane, she guessed that it was: Sweetarts Cherry, Kool-Aid Cherry, and Jell-O Cherry. It was actually Now and Later Cherry. For her final candy cane, she correctly guessed that it was Kool-Aid Cherry. She said she hated Cherry.

Senior Jensen Woodworth thought that his Coldstone Strawberry candy cane tasted like: Sugar, Bubblegum, and Sweetarts Blue Punch. For his second candy cane, he guessed that it was Kool-Aid Cherry, while it was actually Sweetarts Cherry. For his final candy cane, he correctly guessed that it was Now and Later Cherry. He rated his first candy cane a 4, his second one a 9, and his third one an 8.5.

Here are some things that Freshman Jadence Coyle thought her Sour Blue Raspberry candy cane tasted like: Jolly Rancher, Cherry, Airheads, and Strawberry. For her second candy cane, she correctly guessed KoolAid Cherry. For her third candy cane, which was Mint Chocolate Chip, she thought it tasted like birthday cake and chocolate.

We asked multiple AHS students to tastetest a few candy canes and try to guess the flavor. We got some HILARIOUS responses! Scan the QR code to watch the full video!

Junior Chad Overturf correctly guessed his first candy cane as Jell-O Cherry. For his second candy cane, he guessed grape (he did not like it), and he was right again. For his final candy cane, he correctly guessed that it was Birthday Cake flavored. Chad won by guessing all three candy canes correctly!

Junior Jacobi Robinson guessed that his first candy cane was birthday cake, and was right. He guessed that his second candy cane tasted like cherry, but it was actually sour blue raspberry. For his final candy cane, he thought that it tasted like Kool-Aid, Sweetarts cherry, and finally guessed Sweetarts blue punch.

Photo credits: Marissa McKinney

Photo credits: Marissa McKinney

Scope Out Your Christmas!

Only likes winter for the fashion (sweaters, flannels, etc).

Yells at people to turn off their Christmas music.

Goes all out with Christmas decorations (your house looks like a fire hazard).

Not a fan of the holiday season (you’re a total grinch!).

Gets upset when they didn’t get the gift they wanted.

Gets ideas and gifts for everyone months before.

Libra Scorpio Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

by Gabrielle Fouliard

Expects expensive gifts even though they spent under $20 on everyone else.

Sleeps in super late on Christmas morning.

Literally wakes up at 5:00 a.m. to open gifts.

Buys gifts way over their price range for Secret Santa.

Starts counting down to Christmas in July.

Starts listening to Christmas music before everyone else.

DeckHalls Volleyballs! the with

With a perfect hit to his side of the court, senior Cameron Vinduska jumps to block the ball passed over by junior Zach Miller. The senior team ended up winning against the junior team.

by Gabrielle Fouliard

Extreme Volleyball hit off Cowboy Joe Week. With dead week considered, these events brought AHS athletes together but divided the junior and senior classes.

Seniors and juniors practiced for the game throughout the week prior to Cowboy Joe Week. As the juniors battled it out, the 2nd junior team took the lead in both sets and won the entire match, which moved them on to the final round.

The senior team, The Depends, went up against the team who won in the battle of the juniors. The junior

team who had taken the lead was called the Wisconsin Badgers.

The coaches, juniors Zoey Debenham and Callie Powell, of the Wisconsin Badgers, worked their players hard but, in the end, they were just grateful for such a fun time during dead week.

The players had even more fun as they brought entertainment to AHS students on the first night of Cowboy Joe Week.

“Participating in Cowboy Joe week, even as a freshman, makes everything more fun,” junior player of

the Wisconsin Badgers, Gavin Runyon said. “In junior and senior year you get to do the most, but just get immersed in the culture.”

The Depends brought the heat in both sets and worked hard to obtain their victory against the 2nd junior team. Senior coaches Chloe Rock and Tessa Bender taught their players proper techniques and approaches during practices while still making sure to have an enjoyable time in spirit of Cowboy Joe. The Depends were in favor most of the game and their team worked well together overall. With four out of the five Cowboy Joe candidates

participating, they were eager to show their pride and skills off during the big game. The senior team ended up claiming their victory against the juniors at the end of the Extreme Volleyball match.

“Our plays and approaches were organized well, especially my sets

The Drip of an Extreme Volleyball Player

the win of our team,” senior Tristan Randles said.

Although the junior and senior players were competitive towards winning the final match, Extreme Volleyball allowed AHS athletes to come together and have fun during the enjoyable week of Cowboy Joe.

Photo credits: Gabrielle Fouliard

Aries

Taurus Gemini Cancer

Leo Virgo

You Better Not Pout...erpuff!

by Gabrielle Fouliard

Seniors better not be pouting after this year’s intense Powderpuff Volleyball match!

AHS’s Powderpuff practices occured throughout the week of October 31st to the 4th of November in preparation for the

game on November 8 and for the rest of Cowboy Joe Week. Each of the two teams, the Juniors and the Seniors, were coached by three students in that grade who were determined to set their team up for success.

Throughout the week, the junior foreign exchange students got to experience the spirit of Cowboy Joe Week and the festivities that were brought with it.

“It was interesting at first to watch a new sport, then actually play it myself,” junior Merle Ochner said, “since I’ve never seen or played football before. It was a great experience.”

Both Merle and other junior foreign exchange student, Naroa Laustalet Egusquiza, enjoyed the game and the different experiences that went along with it. Since the Juniors ultimately won against the Seniors 12-6, these students who were new at the game got to go home with a victory under their belt in a sport they are unfamiliar with.

The foreign exchange students got to learn all of the various positions and learning the routes set by the junior coaches Brax Fisher, Zach Miller, and Keaton Hargrave. This allowed them to not only get a deeper understanding for football, but to also

grow even closer with the other girls in the junior class. The juniors were determined to win against the senior team, and vice versa for the senior team. They both practiced tiringly every day so they could get as many points as possible and show off their organized plays against their opponents.

with senior coaches Braden Wilson, Esteban Plunkett, and Tristan Randles who formed the plays and assigned positions to the girls, the team was motivated until the very end of the game. Up from

the press box, senior Rj Vopat comedically addressed the peppy junior and senior cheerleaders multiple times which cracked up the crowd and gave the players some relief throughout their very intense match.

The Powderpuff cheerleaders brought plenty of spirit and energy to the game. They made sure to show off their skills that hyped up the fans and players as the game unraveled into an ultimate junior victory.

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go... sorry, you caught me at an awkward time...”

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays of the year, and I am always so excited to celebrate it. What would one do on a ship when celebrating a holiday, you ask? Well, let me tell you.

First, we spread the Christmas cheer by hanging up red ribbons and greenery to spice up the “holiday atmosphere” of the ship. After all that is done, I get to decorate the tree in the “Great Cabin” or the captain’s room. As I was just about to put the skull on top of the tree...

“No please don’t tell me it’s gone. It’s gone!” The skull has been on this ship for years. I frantically went through every little box and barrel in the room but I couldn’t find it anywhere. I was so upset and frustrated!

If I look on the bright side, I found the old Chrismas sweater that my father used to wear. Beside that, I found many other things that my dad used during the Christmas season. Finding my dad’s belongings reminded me of both the time we used to spend together, and the real reason to be excited for this season.

For example, when I was little, my dad was teaching me how to fire the cannons on the top deck. I accidentally pulled the rope too soon, which ended up setting off fireworks.

Ghostwriter of Christmas Past

by Captain Kat

This moment made the entire crew go wild. Hearing my dad’s laughed reminded me that it’s the little things in life that truly matter.

Anyways, now that my family is so far away due to my voyage across the seven seas (and the Booster editions), all I have to remember them is this silly little skull...the skull that represents the traditions of our family.

“Wait a second...Hey, look at what I just found! The skull! It was right in front of me the entire time! Sometimes I think that I am absolutely losing my mind.”

What I am ultimately trying to say is...make sure to spend a lot of time over the holiday season with the people that mean the most to you. Remember, there is a reason for the season!

Running with the ball, junior Claira Dannefer hopes to score a touchdown against the senior Powderpuff team. The junior team ended up winning against the seniors with a score of 12-6.

Junior Powderpuff cheerleader Drew Hansen is raised by his fellow cheer squad during a stunt.

Photo credits: Mr. Moyers

Photo credits: Reese McCullough

Tis the Season!

by Jaycie Mohr

Coming into the new season, what are you looking forward to most for this year?

What are your goals for yourself and your team for the year?

What advice to any underclassmen about joining or getting involved in your sport?

What is the worst conditioning exercise?

Alexis Tyler, senior

I’m really looking forward to all of us improving together and for us to win this season.

As a team, some goals I have for us are to become a ball handling team and for us to communicate more. For me personally my goals are to build up my stamina and to be able to handle the ball with confidence.

Just give it your all. Even when it seems hard, keep pushing yourself. It’ll all be worth it in the end.

Christopher McClanahan, senior

Aleah Ortiz, sophomore Ava Crist, junior

I’m super excited about having a much larger team this year. Everyone brings different skills and abilities that makes it amazing.

To continue to grow our reputation and promote our school in a positive way.

I’m looking forward to being with the team again and making memories while working hard every day.

My goals are always to be the best and I expect the same for the team because a team title is not that far out of reach for the talent we have.

You don’t have to have years of dance training or flawless technique. Just have fun and enjoy yourself.

I tell underclassmen to enjoy it and give it your all because when you’re a senior you are gonna wish that you could redo it and go harder or enjoy it even more.

Stairs are the worst because they hurt insanely bad even though they are good for us.

My least favorite conditioning is the different types of upper body workouts we have to do.

The worst form of conditioning is definitely running because it just hurts and feels like it will never end.

I’m looking forward to all of the new talent in the new freshmen. To have a great season and throw up more complex stunts. Come in with confidence and make new friends. Definitely stairs.

Danielle Ogden, sophomore

Watching and seeing how many new girls are going to go out and watch them experience wrestling like I did.

I want to make it to state because I didn’t last year and I would really love to get there, and I hope that the girls do well this year.

Student Section Etiquette

by Hunter Clark

1 Dress up!

Dress up for the theme! Look for it on social media, and listen to the announcements for once! Dressing up makes the night more exciting and you will fit in with everybody else. Please follow the dress code and wear appropriate clothing.

2 Be LOUD!

You really should get involved. You learn so much, you create a new family, and it’s just really good all around.

Triston Cottone, senior

3 Behave!

Be respectful and responsible to the teams and officials. You are a representative of AHS. Don’t be an idiot and get yourself kicked out of the event by throwing things at people.

Stand and be loud! We need you to be heard to intimidate the other team. This also goes hand in hand with the theme. Like Marty Streb says from Here Comes the Boom “Intimidation!!!” Make the opposing team never want to play in Abilene!

I hate stairs mostly but monkey rolls suck too. Stairs are worse for me though.

I’m looking forward to playing with my close friends and teammates and to go to the games.

5

I hope I can help lead the team to state and we can play our games and do good this season.

Stay hyped!

I think underclassmen should get involved because basketball is fun and everyone is supportive of each other. Running 16’s.

Yell with the cheerleaders and learn the chants. Participating in the cheers brings the student section together as a whole. If the video board camera comes by, then be HYPE and keep your hands down.

4 Respect your upperclassmen!

Remember seniority! The upperclassmen get to stand in the front and everyone else fills in behind them. Freshman yes, you’re in the back. You’ll get to the front eventually, so there’s no need to argue.

6

Enjoy yourself!

Have fun! Yes, you portray this school and yes, these things apply to you. Now, keeping that in mind, enjoy the game so it can be fun for everyone!

Showing Some Spirit!

Winners Mrs. McGivney and Jentree McGivney (11).

Kambree Bryson (10), Allison Rose (10), and winner Kylie Sanderson (9).

Winner Mrs. Hacker. Triston Cottone (12) and winner Keaton Hargrave (11).

Winner Charlie Hylton (11). Grant Waite (12) and winner Evelynn Ediger (12).

Isabel Maestas (10), Naroa Laustalet Egusquiza (11), and Sara Britt (10).

Clarissa Radabaugh (10) and Ashlee Radabaugh (12).

Sagen Immel (9), Magda Meneley (9), Anna Richardson (9), and Caryss West (9).

Layla Pickerign (9), Aleena Watson (9), and Caitlin Webb (9).

Gabriela Guillen (12). Brooks Frey (10) and Isabel Maestas (10).

Ayden Taylor (12) and Braden Wilson (12).

Scarlett Randolph (10) and Haylie Olson (10).

Richard Ortiz (12), Brax Fisher (11), Stocton Timbrook (11), Landon Taplin (10), Kayden Timm (11), Marcos Alaniz (12), and Bri DeWeese (12).

Merle Ochner (11), Xavier Whitehair (12), Chesney Fink (12), and Darby Anguiano (11).

Aleah Ortiz (10) and Grace Hunter (10).

Jo Hottman (11), Emily Bucchin (11), Nadia Whiteley (10), and Amayah Cheramie-Graft (11).

Mr. Jenne, Jalen Robinson (9), Jaxson Cuba (10), and Judah Bowell (11).

Lizzie Brooks (9), Peyton Selby (9), Aleena Watson (9), Lulu Bowell (9), and Kylie Sanderson (9).

The 2022 Booster staff created some ugly Christmas sweaters to show off for the Christmas print Booster!

COWBOY JOE

Hunter Clark (11), Zane Schultze (12), Marissa McKinney (11), Gabrielle Fouliard (11), Jaycie Mohr (11).