201020 Vol. 108 Edition 4

THE MENTOR

Volume 108 Issue 4 Tuesday, Oct. 20 Visit MHSMentor.com

Inside this Edition Page 3 Sports: Football annihilates Topeka West Photo by Cole Schmitt

Page 5 Entertainment: Marching Band honors seniors Photo by Cole Schmitt

Students participate in pajama day as the first day of spirit week. Homecoming week occurs during Oct. 18-Oct. 23. A virtual pep rally, trivia and the nominations for homecoming queen and king were all activities students partaked in during adivsory. The week will end with a football game againt Emporia on tOct. 23. Photo by Lasirra Hines

Board sets Nov. 2 as target date for reopening Kris Long Sports Editor

n light of the recent drop in COVID-19 case numbers, the USD 383 Board of Education hopes to reopen the district four days a week starting Nov. 2, should conditions allow. “At some point, we will be back,” head principal Michael Dorst said. “But the question is, when is the right time? What information is helping frame that decision?” Manhattan’s positivity rate has dropped to 7.4% in the last week and attendance rates among staff and students remain high, leading the board to start discussions to reopen schools for onsite students to a greater extent. With nearly a quarter of the year behind us and Hybrid intended to be temporary, the district feels that now is the appropriate time to try to bring things back to a level of normalcy. “Much of the concern leading to the desire to go back more days… is the mental health, stress and anxiety that shows the need for in person schooling,” Dorst said. “On the opposite side of this spectrum of any decision is the concern, stress and anxiety of the health of our people, the almost 2,000 people, that make up Manhat-

Switching learning models Kris Long Sports Editor With the potential for USD 383 to move from hybrid to a four-day week, the district expects many students and families will wish to change learning models before semester. But, is that possible? The short answer is no. When the district allowed families to choose between remote and hybrid over the summer, they made it clear this was the choice for the semester, and there was reasoning behind that. The first conflict is scheduling. Elective opportunities vary from remote to hybrid, due to a lower number of students and teachers in the remote setting and for practical reasons. Remote welding classes are potentially dangerous. This poses a problem because student’s aren’t able to simply transfer into a remote or hybrid version of their current classes, and switching classes well into the semester isn’t feasible. See more on MHSMentor.com

tan High.” The district intends to go back four days a week with block schedules and all onsite students present. Wednesday will be remote to allow for a deep cleaning. They believe this extra cleaning is a necessary precaution to ease the district back into full-time school. “[The board] recognizes the value of still having that day off, to clean to do a deep cleaning,” Dorst said. “Allowing one more step before going fully back in person.” With all onsite students in school together, social distancing will simply not happen to the same extent it does currently in classrooms, hallways or at lunch. However, other precautions will still be in place and people will distance to the best of their ability. Block scheduling will allow for three lunch periods, which means a level of social distancing will still be achievable when students aren’t masked. “In order, still the most important thing is to remain masked and keep your hands out of your face and eyes, then social distancing,” Dorst said. “When you have more people, the importance of that is increased… I would say the students have responded wonderfully for the first quarter. The students have self monitored great. The students have responded when

we’ve asked for students to mask if they haven’t been... And because of that, I think our rate of how many students have been in our building is a sign of that and that we have not been a site of a super spread event.” The date is still only tentative, and the numbers will need to continue their current trend for it to go forward. The board intends to announce its plan for certain during Wednesday’s board meeting. Students are encouraged to speak at the meeting and only need to submit the citizen comment form located on the USD 383 website. Each person is allowed three minutes to speak. “No matter what the board decides, the people its going to have the biggest effect on is our students, is all of you,” science teacher Clancy Livingston said. Livingston has been encouraging students to participate. “As a teacher, it’s pretty easy for me to stay physically separated from a class,” he said. “You as students, if we suddenly double the class sizes, you’ve got no chance of that. Walking through the halls, and using water fountains and bathrooms, all that’s primarily going to fall on all of you. So I feel like if anyone needs to be talking about this and saying, ‘Hey, here’s what we feel,’ It’s [students.]”

Sunflower League rejects MHS bid Kris Long Sports Editor Manhattan High was turned down for potential membership of the Sunflower League, along with Washburn Rural High School. “They didn’t give any reason at this time for the decline,” Athletic Director Mike Marsh said. “Right now, our plans are to remain in the Centennial League.” According to Marsh, they have no immediate plans to petition another league for membership or try to organize their own league. This means MHS will likely still be in the Centennial League when Topeka West and Highland Park leave in the fall of 2022. “We’re not going to make any other movement right now,” Marsh said. “We’re going to probably remain in the Centennial League for the time being and, hopefully, the other five schools will remain as well and we can make the best of the situation as possible.” Staying in the Centennial League makes scheduling a difficulty, with only five other schools to play against. It means Manhattan athletes may have to play schools in western Kansas like Dodge City, Garden City and Hutchinson, increasing travel times. “With our current situation we’re facing with only five other schools… to schedule a full season… those schools to fill those schedules could be all the

way over in the southwest part of Kansas in the southeast part of Kansas,” building principal Micheal Dorst said. “Mr. Marsh does a great job balancing and always having a full schedule. And I think that’s been proved this year, [because] we’ve had teams back out because of health issues due to COVID…. [But] It’s difficult to do what Manhattan High school does and Mr. Marsh has done a great job always having a competitive game schedule.” Some student-athletes were excited at the proposal of better competition in the Kansas City area. This is especially true for club sports, as athletes from the generally more affluent suburbs often have more experience in those Centennial League schools. Others weren’t thrilled with the different competition. “I personally like the Centennial League, because Kansas City has a different style of ball,” sophomore Varsity soccer player Cade Cameron said. “And that’s something that in Manhattan we’ll never get to, it’s just not the way that we’re raised and the club we play.” Some athletes would have liked the competition but were worried about travel times. See more on MHSMentor.com

Tribe to Pride Cole Schmitt OnlineEditor-in-Chief For decades, Tribe has been a club for seniors and has had the mission to decorate and spread school spirit for events and activities going on around Manhattan High. This year, Tribe is different not only because of COVID, but also because the representatives have changed the name to Pride. “The key factor to changing the name to Pride is because of the numerous comments and angry emails from individuals,” senior TriNae Williams said. “They believe it’s disrespectful to the Native American population.” The Indian mascot has been a big topic of debate over recent years. Many around MHS think the mascot is racist and should not be the mascot of a high school. “We wanted to be on the same page as the school board and we wanted to be supportive of their decisions surrounding the mascot,” senior Hannah Blodgett said. “Pride was similar to Tribe and we want to try and bring pride to the high school.” Pride wasn’t the only name that was thought of. There were more, some serious, some jokingly, that were thrown out during the decision. “We were coming up with long silly names like Pride Spirit Club, Spirit Club and Spirit Community,” Williams said. “They each had spirit in it, which was basic. So we picked Pride, because it was simple and short. We also didn’t want to portray something that disrespects or insults anyone. That’s not our intention.” The newly-named Pride Club will continue to orchestrate pep rallies, come up with themes for sporting events and decorate posters to display about school with details regarding upcoming events. “Pride hasn’t really changed anything in the way we operate,” Williams said. “It’s kind of hard with COVID going on. We haven’t gotten to do much.” Tribe turning to Pride was also not the only change this year for the club. They will also be changing the way it’s run. This year sponsor Haleigh Carlson Jung limited the class to 10 people, compared to years past where more were allowed. Additionally, there will be representatives from the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes to assist with projects.

Tuesday, Oct. 20 Visit MHSMentor.com

OPINIONS

Volume 108 Issue 4

Page 2

Manhattan High should prioritize recycling This editorial is a compilation from a discussion held by the editorial baord. To listen to the conversation that lead to this piece, visit mhsmentor. com

or several years Manhattan High’s recycling program has been paid for by clubs. The now defunct Manhattan Environmental Club used to do it alone, but soon realized it was becoming expensive, so other clubs joined in to help pay. This is like if you were to go to a restaurant and the bill included heat and electricity costs with it. That makes no sense, and neither does clubs having to pay for recycling. It is the agreement of The Mentor editorial board that recycling should not be paid for by clubs or students, it should be the responsibility of Manhattan High. The school does have other

expenses like construction, keeping the school more sanitary than ever before and technology for everyone to have, onsite and offsite. They surely can add the recycling bill to that list. It is just as important as all of the other expenses. According to an email sent out by Clancey Livingston back in January, the cost for recycling between East and West campus is about $850 each year. With no official club for recycling, garden cleaning and composting this year, all of those costs fall on Livingston and the clubs at Manhattan High. In the past, Livingston has paid out of his own pocket for materials such as new recycling bins in classrooms. While using personal finances to pay for supplies is not uncommon among teachers, besides monetary help from other clubs, Livingston will be on his own this year.

In our previous editorial discussion on whether the school should pay for recycling, MEC mentioned that club membership covers the dues of recycling. The original goals of MEC was to find ways for Manhattan High to become more involved in environmental areas beyond the basics of recycling, such as electricity and water usage. Instead, their focus was on funding recycling. The cause of a now nonexistent environmental club could be argued as directly related to these dues. It is unfair for a club to deteriorate because of the school’s lack of involvement in helping cover the costs of recycling. While students may want to help the school pay for recycling, it shouldn’t be their job to do so. The school budget should prioritize recycling rather than leave the students the burden of covering the recycling program.

Editorial POLL: Should the school pay for recycling or is it a club responsibility?

Political parties prove problematic

Julianna Poe Trending Editor As a citizen of the United States, when I turn 18-yearsold, I will have the right to vote. If I were two years older, I’d be considering whether to vote for current President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden. I’ll be honest, neither are appealing. However, our problem isn’t our candidates, our problem is our political parties. At the first presidential debate last Tuesday, I watched as our candidates fought like

siblings and used that negative behavior to capture the attention of their parents. After the debate, I watched both Republicans and Democrats alike weigh the maturity of both our candidates. I watched conservatives bully liberals and liberals bully conservatives for their beliefs. I came to find that we weren’t arguing over which candidate is better, we were arguing over which candidate is a nicer bully. When we threw insults at the candidate of the opposite party, we weren’t attacking the candidate, we were attacking the other party. When we vote, we’re voting for someone we want to see in office. We’re voting for someone we believe in. We’re voting to be represented. We should be voting for a person who represents all of us, not a person who represents one

particular party. The way our two candidates presented themselves in the debate is a perfect representation of what the U.S. looks today. Family, friends, coworkers, you name it, all divide themselves up by party and can’t stand those with different beliefs. Both sides call each other liars. Both sides create conspiracies about the other party. Consequently, whoever steps into office will be hated by half the nation. This happened in 2016 when President Donald Trump won the electoral college. The war that followed between Democrats and Republicans has not yet ended, and neither turnout of this election will bring peace. As high schoolers, we’ve seen our own version of this political war on a daily basis. You have the popular kids, the jocks, the nerds, etc. If we can have movies about getting to

Two kings, two queens, Homecoming royalty inclusivity, many LGBT+ students would most likely prefer being crowned with the partner that they would want. It is rather awkward if a gay guy gets crowned with girl. Again, it ensures diversity amongst students in the school. Genuinely, I wanted to vote more freely when it came to the homecoming, as I knew more of the girls on the voting form compared to guys. The strict guideline of “you have to vote for one girl, one guy, that’s it” annoyed me, and I was halftempted to not vote anyway. Many traditions are outdated, including this one. Not having the standard one guy and one girl would just open up and invite more diversity when it comes to old traditions that will continue in school for as long as school exists. Changing with the times, being diverse, is something the school should incorporate when it comes to voting who is going to get a plastic crown and have the title of Homecoming Royalty.

There is a long tradition in high school of electing one girl and one boy to be the year’s homecoming queen and homecoming king, a tradition that seems to be outdated. Every year it’s the same; choose representatives, vote on which ones you think should win, then crown the guy and the girl that win. At Manhattan High, we’ve never seen two kings or two queens. Other schools have started making the tradition gender neutral, such as Milford High School in Ohio. There aren’t any highschools in Kansas that made the change, and Manhattan High could lead the way for our state.

The process would be simple; have groups nominate their representatives, then just give people the option to vote for any two people they want, and the two people with the most votes are now the “Royals of Homecoming” or something along those lines. Breaking the standard would be much more beneficial for many people, and it’s not like this would have a negative impact. In fact, there isn’t one negative outcome I can think of. Getting to choose whoever you want and not having to stick to heteronormative tradition that is just no longer really acceptable to keep in place is a complete win in my eyes. We also have people who are non-binary, or who don’t identify as a guy or girl. Say they win, what title would they hold? Clearly not king or queen, so having “Royals of Homecoming” instead of a queen and king works in their favor. There are many benefits, including gender diversity and inclusivity in the school, something I hope we try to achieve. Going along the lines of

Brianna Carmack -- Print Editorin-Chief Cole Schmitt -- Online Editor-inChief Katya Tarabrina -- Blue M Editorin-Chief Taryn Robinson -- Opinions Editor Kris Long -- Sports Editor Katya Tarabrina -- Features Editor Lasirra Hines -- Entertainment

Editor Video Production -- Izebell Becker, Julianna Poe -- Trending Editor Beau Boyles, Reece Bunning, Makayla Clarksnodgrass -- Photo Bryan Gross, James Harmer, Editor Nancy Martinez Graphic Artist -- Kellen Hight Business Manager -- Sean Anderson Julianna Poe -- Social Media Manager 21st Century Journalism -- Emonie Staff Writers and Photographers -Christion, Alayna clark, Kaydence Jacob Streeter Patton, Ruth Perez, Rose Ried, Manhattan Mention Producer -Madilyn Sanchez, Natalie Sanko, Koston Peterson Kate Ware, Jordyn West

Lasirra Hines Entertainment Editor

know a person regardless of their stereotypes, how come there aren’t any geared toward Republicans and Democrats? We are constantly told to treat each other equally and be friends with everyone as kids, while adults don’t practice such when it comes to politics. For example, more often than not, my teachers -- regardless of what subject they teach -- will mention politics at some point in the school year. Not just that, but they will make it clear which side they are on and won’t condemn bullying of their opposite parties’ candidate when the classroom erupts into a political discussion. If we’re going to complain about our presidential candidates bullying each other, why don’t we complain about the bullying our educators allow us to partake in?

Controversy over political parties goes farther back than 2016. In 1796, first and former President George Washington warned us of the negative consequences two opposing political parties could have on our democracy. “However, [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely … to become potent engines, by which … men will … subvert the power of the people and [seize] the reins of government…” I believe the events of 2020 have illustrated his warning well. With the presidential election 28 days from now, time is ticking to make a decision that will determine not just who will sit in office for the next four years, but also which way our country will fold. Now is the time for critical thinking to be practiced before casting your vote.

Sports bias shows during COVID-19

Sean Anderson Buisness Manager With COVID putting a damper on sports across the country, the hierarchy of importance begins to shine through. Sports seasons look different this year. Some are cancelled, and some have extensive restrictions, but not all sports are created equal. Here at Manhattan High we offer six fall sports, all of which were affected due to COVID, but how each were affected varies. According to KSHAA, spectator restrictions are determined by the level of risk each sport poses. This however, is not the case. In cross country, a sport deemed low risk by KSHAA, meets are held outside where spectators can be socially distant. The Riley County Health Department has also said spectators at cross country events is safe, but MHS administration refuses to allow any spectators. Kristy Nyp -- Advisor The Mentor is published each Tuesday that school is in session at Manhattan High School, 2100 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, Kan. Telephone (785) 587-2114. More than 1,000 Mentors are printed each week and distributed free of charge to all faculty members and students. MHS journalists are members of the

However, large sports like football retain the spotlight. It is absurb that MHS administration allows one thousand spectators at football games considering that they all must pack themselves into the stands. Not to mention the players who are constantly within six feet without masks. The same holds true for other sports like volleyball which has allowed spectators from the home team and now, due to complaints by the players, MHS administration is making adjustments to allow additional spectators per athlete. How it is safe to cram all of these athletes and spectators into a gym for hours, when outdoor sports are significantly limited? Not only do these biases show at our school, but they extend all the way to the pro level. Just this weekend both Nike and Footlocker national cross country championships were cancelled,along with the NCAA cancelling all cross country championships in August. I have yet to see College football or the NFL take a hit. Equality in 2020 is not a demand, it’s a necessity. MHS administration needs to rethink the restrictions they’ve put on sports and give equal restrictions to all.

Kansas Scholastic Press Association and National Scholastic Press Association and National Scholastic Press Association. The Mentor is a public forum. E-mail us at mhsmentor@gmail.com.

SPORTS

Tuesday, Oct 20 Visit MHSMentor.com

Volume 108 Issue 4

Page 3

Golf holds third in first round of State Julianna Poe Trending Editor

Senior Andi Siebert takes a swing during the first day of the Girls State Golf Tournament. Photo courtesy of Paige McCarthy

With round one complete, as of Monday night the Manhattan High Varsity girls golf team currently fills the third place spot at State. “I think that they hung in there,” head coach Paige McCarthy said. “There’s a group of several other teams really fighting for second right now and ... I feel like we’re in a good position. I’d rather be the chaser than the chased.” Yesterday the girls played in Hesston against 64 total golfers and eight other teams -- Derby, Dodge City, Garden

City, Lawrence Free State, Olathe Northwest, Shawnee Mission East, and Overland Park Blue Valley and Blue Valley West. As a team, Manhattan came in third with a 350, just 16 strokes from Blue Valley West in second and 25 strokes from Shawnee in first. “We’ll see how we end up [today],” McCarthy said. “We’re really close to second, so I think we like where we are and I think our senior leadership will really come into play [today].” Each of the girls shot under a 100, with senior Andi Siebert taking the lead with an 85 -- the sixth best score of

the day -- and tying for 13th place with six other golfers. Trailing close behind in the eighties, seniors Emily Yerman and Rhys Phipps shot an 86 and 89. In the nineties, seniors A.J. Ryan and Jaiden Weixelman scored a 90 and 96. “We’re really happy,” McCarthy said. “Our next goal is to have under 90, but each of them could think of strokes that they could have done without … They would have a bad hole then they’d come back with a good hole and I think that shows a lot of See more at MHSMentor.com

Football annihilates T-West XC wins league Friday night,” senior linebacker Jeramiah Eustaquio said. “We made some mistakes but The Manhattan football we responded to them and team is over .500 for the first came back and learned time since week 1 after a from them.” big win against Topeka On the other side of the West 49-0. The key to ball, the offense had zero the game was “win the turnovers on the night. turnover battle” and the The running game was Indians did just that. on point with multiple “I think that’s the touchdowns on the ground first time all year we’ve from senior quarterback won the turnover battle,” Dayne Aschenbrenner, sehead coach Joe Schartz nior fullback Mason Reid said. “That’s a basic stat and senior running back in football and if you win Lorenzo Wilhoite. the turnover battle your “The line did a great chances of winning go up job of getting off the ball,” tremendously and that’s Aschenbrenner said. “[The one of the problems defense] took away their we’ve had the whole seachances to score and gave son and tonight we did a us good field position.” tremendous job with it.” teams really fighting for The defense commitsecond right now and ... ted two turnovers on the Senior running back Lorenzo Wilhoite runs I feel like we’re in a good down the field during the football game against position. I’d rather be the Chargers. One was an Topeka High on Oct 16. Photo by Cole Schmitt. chaser than the chased.” interception by junior Zac Hirschey and another one focused and did their jobs on See more at MHSMentor.com Cole Schmitt Online Editor-in-Chief

coming off a fumble forced by the defensive line. “I think the defense executed and everybody was

Tennis places 3rd at state Lasirra Hines Entertainment Editor The Manhattan Girls Varsity tennis team placed third overall with a score of 13 at the 6A State Tournament in Topeka last Saturday. Shawnee Mission East placed first with Blue Valley North in second. Sophomore Jillian Harkin went 2-1, placing second. Harkin broke into semi-finals and finals, becoming the State Runner Up. Senior Kayla Lei went 1-2 in singles. Sophomore Maura Weins and junior Hannah Loub went 1-2 in doubles, with junior Ava Bahr and senior Cooper

Lohman also going 1-2. Harkin had a victory in semi finals before losing in finals. Weather conditions did affect how the team played. “I had an exciting comeback victory in the semifinals before losing in the finals to a great player,” Harkin said. “The windy conditions were really tough on Saturday, which definitely played a factor.” The other five competitors who placed were seniors, so it was exciting for Harkin to place second. “The rest of the top five who placed were all seniors, so placing second as only a sophomore is a huge accom-

athlete of the week Grant Snowden

Junior; Football and Soccer • Dual sport athlete • Scored winning touchdown

plishment for me,” Harkin said. This is Lei’s last year playing on the team. As a senior, she had many lasts in tennis this year, and mainly focused on giving back to the program. “It feels bittersweet to go through the season as a senior. I never realized how much even the littlest things mean [to me]. The last practice, last van ride back home, and even the last time going to each meet,” Lei said. “All things I never previously thought twice about, didn’t fail to make me realize how much I’ll miss being part of this team and doing what I love, playing tennis.”

Brianna Carmack Print Editor-in-Chief Manhattan High cross country came out first overall in the Centennial League at Stateland Park last Saturday, now ensuring a spot at Regionals. “The team finished first and then we won all the individual titles and [I] just felt extremely proud and even beyond that, so many ran the fastest they have run this season,” head coach Susan Melgares said. “I’m super proud of the work that they’ve put in to allow them to achieve those performances.” As a team, MHS finished first in all Varsity and J.V. races. Washburn Rural finished in second in the girls Varsity race and Hayden finished in second in the boys Varsity race. Washburn Rural has been one of the toughest teams the girls Varsity team has had to face this season. “Washburn girls have... they beat us at the midseason meet,” Melgares said. “We beat them at our meet, maybe once on their home course. So, we knew it was going to be a battle and it certainly was. The kids really fought tooth and nail to get the win.” Individually, senior Daniel Harkin was the first to the finish line in the boys Varsity race with a time of 15:35.8 and junior Jenna Keeley finished in first in the girls Varsity race with a new P.R. of 18:45.7. Harkin and Keeley have been the top finishers in every Varsity meet for this entire season, making them the top boy and girl runner

Q: How long have you been playing football and soccer? A: I’ve been playing soccer since I was four years old and football I picked up my freshman year. Q: Which sport do you like better? A: I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a favorite. Obviously, I love the game of soccer. I’ve been playing with this team since I was around eight years old, Frank [Alonso] being my coach

on MHS. Senior Julian Avila and sophomore Audrey Cook had their first individual win in each of their races for the first time at League. Avila finishing in 18:00.1 and Cook finishing in 21:32.7. For some seniors, this was the last race they would be competing in. Therefore, some had plans to make this their best race yet in order to end on a good note. Senior Stephen Lind ended up setting a new personal record by about a minute and a half during his last race. “It was originally 22 flat, but now it’s 20:40.9,” Lind said. “I really needed that to finish my high school career.” Senior Zach Paquette finished with a season best during his last race. “I’d say my biggest goal was to set a new PR,” Paquette said. “I didn’t quite get there. I was about 10 seconds off. I did set a season best, so that was one goal accomplished.” Many of the seniors who raced in their last meet had the intention of running the hardest that they could, accepting any time they got and being proud of their performance throughout their time on the MHS cross country team. “I just wanted to go out there, run my hardest and be proud of how I performed at my last meet of high school,” Paquette said. The community built from the cross country team has created some of the most memorable moments that the seniors have in See more at MHSMentor.com

... and I seem to really enjoy both of the games.” Q: You play soccer and football, how is the time commitment playing both sports? A: “I’s certainly tough. It has taken a little getting used to. But, being my junior year I think I’ve gotten pretty adapted to it, as far as balancing studying and practices and games goes.”

Soccer beats Highland, T-West Kris Long Sports Editor Boys soccer brought Topeka west to mercy rules at home last night and won their match against Highland Park 9-1 on Thursday, putting them at 8-1-5 with one match left in the postseason. MHS has brought Topeka to mercy rules in the last two seasons and has beaten them in every game since 2013. “I expected them to be a

little tougher than they seem to be,” junior Grant Snowden said. “But, [we] take the same mentality into every game.” MHS came out strong from the beginning, scoring six goals in the first half and keeping West on the defense. Snowden had the opener, and proceeded to score four more goals in the first half along with seniors Connor Turner and Gabe Effiong. “I think we had a lot of good movement tonight,”

Snowden said. “And I think it really showed on the scoreboard. Everybody was doing their part, making the right passes.” They finished the Chargers with ten minutes left. Snowden had two more goals, totaling six for him in the match, the most a single player has scored in a match for MHS boys soccer in three years. Senior Johannes Glymour scored and Ohler had the game-ending shot.

“I think [winning 10-0 is] a great confidence booster of being one of the last two games of the regular season,” Snowden said. The boys came back from a 2-5 loss to Derby last Monday to beat Highland Park. After struggling to keep up the tempo all year, MHS came out slow against Highland. It was 1-0 at the half with a goal from senior Cole Schmitt. Ten minutes into the second, the boys picked up the

pace with a goal from Effiong. After that came a flood, within 20 minutes the score was 9-0. They let in a late goal to finish the game 9-1. Manhattan’s postseason group is Junction City, Washburn Rural and Topeka High. “I think we still have some strides to make,” head coach Mike Sanchez said. “We [have] one more game to get ready and build some confidence going in the postseason.”

FEATURES

Tuesday, Oct. 20 Visit MHSMentor.com

Volume 108 Issue 4

Page 4

SASV packs on several productive events Julianna Poe Trending Editor

Emery said. “It will be open to all students at MHS.” Last year, just before spring break, SASV held a supply drive of clothing and toiletries for the Manhattan Crisis Center. Unfortunately, the ith a whole school year ahead of them, the pandemic cut it short; however the interest group Manhattan High Students Against Sexual plans to host another one later this school year. Violence interest group aspires to fill with Furthermore, SASV will conduct at least one service various recognition events. project for the Homestead House, a local safe place Over the summer, SASV created a website filled for women who with resources, have exited the bystander sex industry. information, “Last year we terminologies, did it during statistics, and past Halloween and we and upcoming made them cookie events. The link baskets for all the for the website is people that live sasvmhs.weebly. at the Homestead com. House,” Emery “[We] are not said. “We painted professionals pumpkins when it comes to with them helping students and … created specifically with relationships with their issues, [so] them. [We] let we wanted to them know that have something … our club is we could give to supporting them.” them,” senior Like previous and co-president years, the interest Megan Emery group aims to said. “If we have inform others a website, then and recognize the we can refer seriousness of [students] to sexual violence. something when “In general, it’s they can’t get [the] always … about help that they raising awareness need.” ... and helping This year, the people in our interest group community,” hopes to organize Senior Isabel Porres signs up to be apart of SASV during Club Sign-Up day. SASV has a meeting coming up next Monday Emery said. “I an event with the in room A-111. Photo by Brianna Carmack think this year it’s K-State Center really important for Advocacy, that we raise awareness … because of the political that’s school wide.” Response and Education (CARE) early next month climate that’s going around right now.” In addition to pin and ribbon club fundraisers as well as arrange for a presenter from the Fort throughout, SASV plans to host a Christmas potluck SASV will have their first meeting of the year after Riley Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and school on Monday in room A111. “cookies and hot chocolate” to spread positivity. Prevention program next semester. “It will be for any student interested in the club,” Along with a planned denim day during Sexual Assault Awareness month in April, SASV also has pledges scheduled for this school year, such as the “It’s On Us” vow. “Students ... get to paint their hand and then put their handprint on the paper,” Emery said, “and … pledge [the following]: ‘I’m not a bystander, I’ll help people get through this and I won’t commit sexual violence.’ [Students] get to ... be part of something

Question of the week Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what costume?

“Cheetah girl.” “Inflatable senior Jazmin T-Rex.” Gantt TriNae WilliamsWoodson

SADD starts year off strong Julianna Poe Trending Editor SADD attends a conference to Despite the new challenges meet with other schools. With this school year brings, the health in mind, the conference Manhattan High Students Against has been postponed to spring. Destructive Decisions club hasn’t “We meet with other safe let it stop them from making a groups, other SADD groups and difference. we ... gather some information “The unfortunate thing about about [topics such as] safe [COVID-19] is some of our bigger driving,” Claussen said. “We also events that we put on won’t be talk about activities that we do able to happen due to … social with other groups and [gather] distancing,” co-president Taylor ideas from each other.” Claussen, senior, said. “We’re Starting Monday, SADD will trying to find some other ideas be hosting Red Ribbon Week. that incorporate getting involved Typically SADD will visit the in the school without breaking middle schools as well, but this those guidelines.” year they have “We wanted to SADD has decided to focus conducted two seat spread a bunch of on just Manhattan belt surveys thus positivity during High. far, with two more “We are going this kind of ... scary to be making planned for later in the year in the time for everyone” signs [with] a QR winter and spring. -- Hannah Humes code on it so that “We’ve had people can scan a pretty good it and enter to turnout,” Claussen said. “It’s a win gift cards if they pledge to little bit different with COVID-19 do safe driving, social distance, this year, but … I’m pretty sure don’t do drugs [and] not [make] our numbers went down [for] destructive decisions,” Humes unbelted [compared to] last year, said. so that’s really good.” The club’s goals for this Looking to lift spirits school year remains the same throughout Manhattan High, as previous years: to advocate SADD officers came together to for the well-being of Manhattan write sidewalk chalk messages to High. students earlier this school year. “I think [a goal of ours is] “We wanted to spread a bunch continuing to reinforce … not of positivity during this kind of [mak]ing destructive decisions,” … scary time for everyone,” coHumes said. “I think that a president Hannah Humes, senior, bigger, key point this year has said. “I think [it] had some really been wearing a mask and social good effect[s] on the students.” distancing because that can be Around this time of year, seen as … a destructive decision.”

“I plan to go as a flapper from the twenties.” senior Rose Ried

Debate places first at Silver Lake McKayla Clarksnodgrass Photo Editor Debate went undefeated at the Silver Lake Invitational in the open division this weekend. Debate had teams competing in both the Silver Lake and Blue Valley North tournament. Junior Megan Long and senior Crysteen Brown placed first in the open division at the Silverlake Invitational. The pair went undefeated throughout the tournament. “I think a lot of that came down to the fact that our [partnerships] are starting to get more like cohesive and we’re starting to be able to work together better,” Brown said. “So it wasn’t quite so confusing and there’s a lot more communication.” Senior KJ Jones and sophomore

Greyson Hickel placed second in the open division at the Blue Valley North tournament. The pair did well in the tournament despite not being able to debate their favorite side, as Jones said. “It went pretty well and it was really like educational,” Jones said. “It allowed us to have a little more fun and like flex our creativity on negatives.” Junior Sam DeLong and sophomore Annabelle Jung went 2-2 at the Blue Valley North tournament. The pair had started out with winning their first two rounds, but ended up losing the last two. “Sam and I debated both sides twice,” Jung said. “So we were pretty on equal grounds.” Debate will meet next this weekend at the Derby Invitational and Seaman tournament.

NHS volunteering Cole Schmitt Online Editor in Chief

Last weekend, students a part of the National Honours Society (NHS) volunteered at the Kansas State football game versus Texas Tech. Seniors Kayla Lei and Isabel Porres were just some of the volunteers at the game. The way in which they volunteered was serving guests in suites with food and drinks from the buffet line. “So it’s pretty much a

buffet line and we were the ones getting the food and serving it to them,” Porres said. “I kind of liked it. It was fun to see a bunch of people. It was really funny when people would be like ‘This food is so good, you guys did really well’ and we didn’t make it but you just accepted the compliment.” The students who participated received volunteer hours from Mrs. Mall. Some are wanting to be able to do it again at Bill Snyder

Stadium, the home of K-State football, in the future. “I enjoyed it,” Lei said. “It wasn’t hard to do and it was fun to be around other NHS volunteers.” NHS is providing more opportunities in the future for students who want this. Porres says she is in to keep doing it. “I think National Honor Society is signed up to volunteer at every home football game and maybe basketball games,” Porres said. “I would definitely do it again.”

Tuesday, Oct. 20 Visit MHSMentor.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Volume 108 Issue 4

Page 5

‘Emily in Paris’ lacks character depth

Marching Band honors seniors

COVID-19 heavily affects band performances, practices Lasirra Hines Entertainment Editor

plays alto saxophone. The section leaders gave the seniors gifts when they stood in the he seniors of the Manhatmiddle of the field. tan High Marching Band “For my section, our section were recognized at halfleader gave the seniors a gift, which time at the football game last Friday. was so thoughtful,” senior Rita They usually hold the annual event Marshall, clarinet player, said, “and near the end of the football season. I was really just able to have a great This year, with COVID-19 conditime with my friends.” tions, seniors Band has been heavily gave the directors affected by COVID-19, a mask with a such as having a limit special message on how many members on them. are gathered together at This senior games, or how freshmen night was fun don’t get to come to West for many of the Campus for the class. members, as they Band camp being pulled out old cancelled was new for cheers that stuthe year, and rehearsals dents loved, such have been up in the air as “Boom Boom” for the students, affecting and “Hot Tub.” With the football the drum majors. team winning, it also made for a “It’s been very different from good night. previous years and not having band “I thought it went really well,” camp and our normal amount of resenior Isabel Pores said. “I loved hearsals have left us (drum majors) getting to be there and hearing eva little bit in the dark,” senior Sean eryone play.” Anderson, a drum major. Pores is a drum major this year, They have been marching in the so she conducts the band. She also parking lot rather than the field due

“The games don’t feel the same without the band there.” --Anika Nyp

ARTIST of the week Zachary Paquette

Senior; Blue Notes Jazz Band

Quarantine

Kellen Hight Mutlimedia Designer If there’s one thing quarantine has been good for, it’s music. I know I’m not just speaking for myself when I say music has been the little bit of glue holding things together these days; it’s provided the energizing soundtrack to the drudgery of schoolwork. I’m sure many others have used their free time at the beginning of the pandemic to enjoy their favorite music more seriously or even find new things to listen to.

to not having access to a field or sitting on the track. There have been many changes, including the students receiving masks that allow them to play but still cover their face, and a limited section of members that can show up to the game. There is also separation of the band into four groups, freshmen A and B groups, and then upperclassmen group A and B, which has affected the ability to practice. “Bands felt really separated this year because there’s a bunch of different groups, four in total. Two at West campus and two at East. You never see the other groups,” senior Gavin Erickson, section leader, said. Members feel that the COVID-19 impacts have hit them near the most, and it has been difficult for the band as a whole. “It’s really hard when literally everything is against you, there’s been actual studies done that says, the worst is choir but the second worst is probably band,” junior Anika Nyp said. “The games don’t feel the same without the band there.”

Q: Anything that happened with the group you consider a win?

band. But with so few of us in jazz, we’re a more intimate group, so we’re able to play.

A: Well we’re getting to play

Q. What got you into Blue Notes?

this year so that’s a plus. Unlike some of the other groups, who are like Choir, who has to be really strict about how they sing and how much space is in between all of them, and we have to be careful about how we play in marching

A. I’d say probably my section leaders, my freshman and sophomore year. The people that I always looked up to were in it. It’s a really good way to further your musical

ability, they told me that. So it kind of piqued my interest. Q.What’s it like being a senior this year? A. It’s kind of crazy, I’ve come a long way as far as my ability level goes. But it’s crazy to know that this is my last year of high school. I plan to keep playing in college.

inspires musicians new and old

In the time we’ve used to enjoy some tunes, musicians have been in their studios or at home writing new work. With many artists taking advantage of the extra time inside, the public have been gifted with more music to listen to. Some songs have capitalized on the general angst of the pandemic and thus have shifted their subject matter to focus on isolation and the emotional effects of the quarantine. Even older artists like Smashing Pumpkins and Bob Dylan have released new music, who we haven't seen new releases from in upwards of eight years. There’s especially been a huge explosion of new music among the fresher and younger artists. Since most self-produce or have their own studios at their hands, recent acts like Hayley Williams, The Weeknd, Joji and my personal favorite, Coin, have

been able to release singles or albums throughout the pandemic. The Weeknd’s “After Hours” and Joji’s “Nectar” have both gotten very positive reviews, and Coin’s recent single “You Are the Traffic” has been one of my favorite songs, with a great buildup and a combination of indie rock and almost grungy influences. On top of that, the new Smashing Pumpkins singles have been a novel tribute to ‘80s new wave and synth-rock bands like New Order and Joy Division, with pulsing synth rhythms, organic drums, and well-layered guest vocals from Katie Cole and Sierra Swan creating the dreamy sonic of the single. The lyrics feel especially relevant, focusing on leadership, hope and hopelessness; with all there is to like, this is a serious improvement compared

to Smashing Pumpkins' last few albums. All this new content new artists are making is just the beginning: an overlooked part of this is all the people picking up instruments, be it their first time or another stab at it. For a moment at the beginning of the pandemic, music gear like guitars and keyboards had a notable uptick in purchases. With so many people messing with music, there’s bound to be a few who stick with it through the pandemic and eventually start publishing music, hopefully leading to a music boom during and after this pandemic. Even though just about everything about this year has been unexpected and unsettling, I know I can at least look forward to more music now than ever, and maybe even some talented new artists in the near future.