October Reporter issue

{reporter}

THE

volume 95 issue 1 October 2019 paola high school 401 angela street paola, ks 66071

Do’s And Don’ts high school rules to keep you from being hated Copy Editor

When we enter high school as a freshman we are bombarded with a series of do’s and don’ts. The do’s consist of “get involved, do your homework and eat breakfast.”

The don’ts are along the lines of “don’t gossip or become a troublemaker.” But to make this a little more interesting, we should talk about those pesky -- sarcasm -- unwritten rules.

Let’s start simple. Pretend you’re in a car. In America, we all drive on the right side of the road. So now when you’re walking through the hallway, apply the driving theory, and pretend you’re in a car again and always walk on the right side of the hall. Not only does that help the flow of “traffic,” but you also lessen the amount of head-on collisions when turning the corner to

Design By Abby Richmond

the sophomore hallway.

Since we are talking about traffic, let’s talk about the components of a traffic jam in the high school.

First, you need at least three ignorant people who walk incredibly slow. And for it to be a successful traffic jam, they must walk shoulder to shoulder and have at least one student awkwardly trying to pass them from behind. Now, this student is immensely frustrated because she has long legs and would like to use them. Even though the traffic jammers only have to get from Black’s room to Collier’s room, she has to get from Black all the way to Kenny and she happens to already be late. So please break up your posse and let this poor pedestrian walk her exceptionally fast walk.

While this girl is practically running because she is late, she would prefer not to trip over the humans lying down with their legs totally outstretched in the middle of the hallway. She would also prefer not to body slam her way through a group of students who refuse to break up their little secret circle, or whatever people talk about while taking up the whole hallway. Last , but not least, she does not want to round the corner and see a couple making out or get caught behind a couple hugging intensely and pro-

Absent: 1 High school Survival check list Walk on the right side of the hall Stand in small groups in the hallways

Managing editors Macayla Enman & Abby Heger

Design Editor Liv Meridith

Copy Editor

Abby Richmond

Social Media Editors

Liv Meridith & Tyler Rosner

Public relations Manager

Lily Woolsey & Emma Johnson

Ads Managers

Taylor Murdock

Senior ads managers

Haleigh West & Carlie Stallbaumer

Reporters

No PDA fessing their love before each class.

Blocks are only 85 minutes, you will be fine until you meet again.

Moral of the story: think about these long-legged and short-legged students before you decide to take up the entire hallway because you are so absorbed in your own world, you forget about the 602 other students who are trying to get to class.

We should not have to pay the price of being late to class because of your conceited behavior.

*PSA*

Windshields are see through.

People can see you.

Hannah Billesbach, Rileigh Dale, Mason Escobar, Brooklyn Harmon, Delana Johnston, Jayda Logan, Kaylee Miller, Kylee Slyter, Emi Zeller, Lillian Davis, Grace Thomas, Emma Behrendt, Addison Smith, Skyler Hughes, Ariana Gallagher Vanessa Berrey, Ethan Cerros, Carden Escobar, Natalie Glassel, Katie Heger, Lily Hinkle, Ashton Hughes, Paityn Hughes, Lillian Owens, Mady Robertson, Abi Shore, Samuel Shore, Bindi Swan, Tatumn Trimmer, Emily Weigell

Adviser

BriAnne Chayer

Social Media

Twitter:@Paola Journalism

Instagram: @phsjournalism

It is the policy of the Paola Reporter to provide a forum for student expression, voices in the uninhibited, robust, free, and open discussion of issues. The Reporter encourages students to write letters to the editor or submit articles for the editorial page. We reserve the right to edit content. Material that contains libelous or obscene information will not be published. Material that will cause a disruption of school activities is also prohibited. Authors must provide their full name.

No articles will be published with an alias.

Volume 95 Issue 1

Mission statement

{Abby Richmond}

Against: 0

Staff list

The reporter editorial policy

For: 22

The Reporter

2019-2020

Staff Editorial

The Reporter october 2019 Editorial

The Reporter is for the students, by the students. The goal of the Reporter is to give the students a voice, and provide an open forum of ideas while maintaining an ethical publication with unbiased coverage.

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Iteachers n with The new enjoy first months at the high school {Hannah Billesbach} {Carlie Stallbaumer} Reporter

Senior - Ads Intern

Kayce Bruce is the new Family and Consumer Science teacher. She is a Pitt State graduate and taught at Eisenhower High School In Goddard.

“I chose to teach high school students because they are more independent and willing to learn,” Bruce said.

Outside of the classroom, she said she enjoys spending time with her daughter and dog.

Eisenhower High was twice the size of the high school.

She said she enjoys the smaller class size because it allows her to make better connections with her students “As an FCCLA sponsor, I want to encourage students join FCCLA and take FACS classes,” Bruce said.

Inter-related teacher Tony Brummer decided to take the opportunity to work at the high school for his 23rd year of teaching. He graduated with his bachelors from Fort Hays and his masters from Emporia.

Last year, Brummer was the varsity baseball coach.

He said working in the high school would be a good way to be more involved with his athletes.

Brummer, who taught at Osawatomie Elementary for 17 years, said he noticed a big difference between teaching elementary students and high school students.

“I knew it would be a challenge, but I like a challenge,” he said. “My advice to students this year would be to control things you can control and be responsible.”

Lori Joiner, counselor, worked at Bonner Springs Middle School. Joiner has been a counselor for nine years at other middle schools. This is her first time as a high school counselor.

“I like helping and talking to them about what their future is going to be when they leave here and their parents,” Joiner said.

She came to Paola to be in a smaller community and get her family on more land to raise her sons similar to her hometown Iola. She also wanted to get back into the high school setting and students. Joiner was a science teacher for Prairie View before she was a middle school counselor.

Fresh out of college, Rosie Smith, middle and high school choir teacher, is from Kansas City, Mo. She graduated from William Jewell College in May. Smith said once she visited the school and met some of the teachers and students, she knew Paola would be a great fit.

“Paola seemed like a community that really took care of its people, both teachers and students alike,” Smith said.

Design By Carlie Stallbaumer and Hannah Billesbach

The New STAFF PAOLA HIGH

@

KAYCE BRUCE FACS Left: Choir teacher Rosie Smith instructs Varsity Choir through the practice of the full solfege, on Sept. 11 {Photo by Rileigh Dale}

Smith said she has wanted to be a teacher since she was 12 or 13 because some of her role models were her teachers. She is also very passionate about the music.

Smith said she thinks music should be in students’ education.

“The teachers I’ve had in my life have been some of the greatest role models for me,” Smith said.

The English department added a fresh face to its department as well. It is Jessica Ward’s first year teaching.

She attended the University of Kansas and student-taught at J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, Kan. “My free -time activities include reading and crocheting, I usually have a couple projects going on at a time,” Ward said.

Ward chose to be a teacher because her love for reading gave her connections she didn’t make with people, so she wanted to share that love. She also said as a day-camp counselor, she realized she liked sharing knowledge and seeing it passed on.

She said she enjoys teaching at the high school.

“All of the people were great. In the interview I felt the support of the administration. The English department was wonderful, and what they were doing to revamp the program was amazing for students. I felt very welcomed,” Ward said.

“Thank you for welcoming me in already, I look forward to getting to know everyone else as I continue to teach.”

Tony brummer inter-related

lori joiner counselor

jessica ward english The Reporter October 2019 school news

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mEANING BEHIND the ink

students describe their tattoos’ significance

{

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Haleigh West Senior ads Editor

}

Emi Zeller Reporter

Lexi Jones, senior

Hayden Weigell, senior

“My tattoo is a small branch on my finger. I was tired of being told what to do every minute of every day by my parents. My tattoo is my first ‘rebellious act’.”

“The flower represents my sincere love and admiration for music. I’ve always wanted a tattoo and believe that they are a way to express yourself.”

Kaylee Burgen, junior “The purple ribbon stands for domestic violence.

Two of the flowers symbolize someone who didn’t survive domestic violence and the other flower is for my grandpa. It’s just a constant reminder of the people I loved the most.”

Kynleah Bancroft, junior

“It’s my dad’s handwriting, and I got it a couple weeks after he had passed away. I will always have that there to remind me of him.”

Design By Haleigh West

Christina Feugate, junior “My twin sister and I got into a car accident. Unfortunately, my sister did not survive and ever since then I’ve felt lost without her. A piece of my heart went to heaven that day.”

Javier Castillo, senior “My tattoo is my favorite Bible verse and it helped me through some really tough times.”

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. -Deuteronomy 31:6

Keana Palmer, junior

“It hurt, but it was worth it. It stands for Jarrett York [Olathe East student]. He has been my best friend since the fifth grade who committed suicide in 2018.”

The Reporter October 2019 Tattoos

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Beating the heat athletes become accustomed to the weather Q&A

Tristen Haddock, senior Cross Country Runner

How do you “beat the heat’’?

In cross country we have a saying, “Hydrate or Diedrate.” Beating the heat is a mix of mental stability, hydration, and wearing tank tops.

How has the heat had an impact on you?

Toward the beginning of the season, I passed out and I see black spots in my vision frequently. I see the major benefits now because our first meet was in the morning and I ran pretty well.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in cross country?

My main weakness is hydrating. My strength is that I’m competitive and don’t like it when someone is running in front of me.

How much water do you drink in a day to prepare for practice?

You should technically drink at least four bottles of water. I always struggle with it especially when I forget my water bottle, so I typically drink about two throughout the day.

Above: Fletcher Aude, junior, grabs his water bottle to take a drink during the team’s break. The football players played in a scrimmage on Sept. 6. At press time, the Paola Panthers were 4-0. {Photo by Lillian Davis}

{ Grace Thomas } {Emma Behrendt} INdex Manager

Index Manager

The warmth of golden sun rays move across their shoulders. Summer may have ended, but the burning heat of the sun was still in motion until recently.

Trysten Williamson, senior football player, said the heat is not gratifying for many athletes.

Williamson said the heat wears the team down and exhausts them much quicker.

“During practice, we wear full practice uniforms, occasionally with shorts,” Williamson said.

Football players have to stay hydrated due to the temperatures rising higher than in past seasons.

According to Accuweather, the average temperature in August was 89 degrees, compared to the average temperature of September, which was 92 degree. The average highs for both months were

Design By emma behrendt and grace thomas

How have the recent cooler temperatures affected you?

Cooler temperatures always help me. The heat usually affects my consistently lower. head and makes it harder for my body to do it’s thing. The cooler Isaac Brakner, junior football player, also expe- temperatures usually give me the result of a faster time. rienced the heat.

“The heat has been a little bit of a limiting factor for me. I have to take frequent water breaks, and after practice I’m usually really tired and dehydrated,” Brakner said, “I drink about 85 ounces of water every day.”

Williamson said the team drinks a lot of water every practice and the managers usually fill the jugs with fresh ice water several times a day.

“I am not concerned about the heat as long as we prepare for it with proper hydration and breaks,” football coach Mike Smith said.

As challenging as the heat had been, Williamson said the heat could have a good impact, depending on how well the other teams are acclimated.

“I’m sure we’ll get used to the heat soon, it hasn’t been very hot up until now,” Brakner said.

The Reporter october 2019 Sports

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StampinG out THE

STIGMA students, teachers affected by mental health {Emma Johnson} {Emi Zeller} Public Relations Manger

Reporter

Georgia Jones*, student, has struggled with depression since elementary school after she close members of her family died.

Jones said she writes down her feelings, which helps her feel better.

“If I could tell other students anything about mental health, I would tell them, if you are struggling with anything reach out,” Jones said.

Members of the school community want to spread the same message to their students. Mental health awareness has become more of a priority among schools nationwide. One in four people suffering from a mental health disorder, which makes it the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

Most people have been affected by mental illness, whether by losing a loved one or dealing with it themselves.

Heather Kauk, teacher, lost her uncle to suicide in 2017.

“I will live with guilt about my uncle for the rest of my life,” Kauk said, “the last time I saw him was Christmas of the year before he died. I replay that conversation all the time and I’m mad at myself that I didn’t know what to say. I think he was looking for me to tell him everything was going to be okay and that’s what I was trying to do, but I needed to say to him you need to get help.”

“Part of mental health awareness is encouraging struggling people to get help” Nick Fisher, senior, said.

“I feel like if they [the school staff] know that it is happening then approach the person that is struggling with mental illness. I feel like they

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[students] should be able to talk to counselors or people who they are comfortable with and talk about it,” Fisher said.

“It’s really hard to ask for help,” Kauk said.

“We’ve got to get over ourselves and we’ve got to get over that stigma.”

Addressing mental illness is something Kauk said she feels strongly about.

“Not talking about something to teenagers is stupid. I had a blog post where I wrote, telling teens we can’t talk about suicide is like saying, ‘hey kids there’s a Mustang convertible in the driveway, the keys are on the kitchen counter, and we’re leaving for the weekend but, don’t drive the car.’ It’s just so stupid,” Kauk said.

The administration is trying to get people to acknowledge mental health and to help students feel more comfortable talking about it.

Deanell Wieland, counselor, talked about the resources available to students who struggle with mental illness, “We’re starting a grief group for the people who are struggling with grief from the loss of a loved one. During an upcoming advisory lesson, we will talk about that group and what is involved in it,” she said.

Wieland gives students a way to help end the negative stigma surrounding mental health.

“People need to be aware of the impact of their words and when they’re speaking of mental illness,” she said. “If they’re speaking of it in a negative way, know that’s going to impact others.” .

Hines’ ultimate goal for the school is to healthily promote mental health awareness.

“The goal would be making sure, unequivocally, that our students know what resources are available and will utilize those resources in their own time of need,” Hines said. *Student’s real name has been withheld at the discretion of The Reporter Staff.

The Reporter October 2019 features

Above: Kaylee Burgen, junior, downloads the Crimestoppers Safe Schools app on Sept. 16. The app enables students to alert officials of crimes or to reach out if students need help. “The ultimate goal would be that no student thinks that suicide is a solution to the problem and they understand that it should never be an option,” said Principal Jeff T. Hines. To download the app, go to http://kccrimestoppers.com/sitemenu. aspx?P=P3App&ID=452. {Photo by Skyler Hughes}

How we feel about Mental Health 59%

Wil ing to talk about the issue Knows someone who struggles 82% Wants awareness 60% Reached out for help

{

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DOn’t trivialize it. Make students aware the Counselors are happy to talk to you and offer professional help if possible Ashton McRoberts, junior

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Be more open about Mental health. WE all just need to be there for each other.

Hailey Long, sophomore

}

“I think that time has been dedicated to mental health, just like time is dedicated to math homework.”

Lily Hermes, senior

This photo illustration represents daily reminders.

The “don’t let it show,” unchecked box illustrates the 1 in 4 people who deal with mental illness.

“The consequences of not addressing adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults,”according to World Health Organization. {Photo illustration by Emi Zeller and Skyler Hughes}

23% Source: A survey of 21% of student body

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273 8255

Download the Crimestoppers Safe School app at http://kccrimestoppers.com/sitemenu. aspx?P=P3App&ID=452 Design By Skyler Hughes

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“Putmy experitogether” one ence through mental health “The moment I realized I needed help, was the mo-

“...no one should have to laugh off their mental health.”

ment my life got better..”

-Sophomore Kylee Slyter

-Senior Skyler Hughes Less than 1 percent of students in the United States are identified with emotional disturbance, despite the millions of youth with depression with severe impairment, according to Mental Health America.

I was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety and started therapy. Let me tell you that starting therapy was the best decision I have ever made.

The moment I realized I needed help, was the moment my life got better.

I was always told that asking for help was weak, until one day I realized I was stronger to ask for help.

The day I asked for help, I learned how liberating it was to be open and being closed was scarier than anything else. I learned by asking for help one to be more open about how I feel.

I am close to my mom, but she had no idea how depressed I was. One day she asked me if I was OK and I told her I was struggling. She found a therapist for me and I learned that being open about things is not a bad thing.

The second thing I learned from therapy is how much I hold in my emotions to protect the people I care about. When I started therapy, I revealed things that I had held inside for 10 years.

Wearing a mask everyday wears a person down. The mask holds everything in and once it is gone, people can see your true colors.

The third thing I learned is to work through things that are causing my troubles. I know everyone deals with stress every day and sometimes it’s too much to deal with, but for me, the smallest thing can make the biggest change.

For example, I prefer to sit in the back of

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Laughi n g It off taking jokes to a new level

the room because I am more comfortable there.

Something else I learned is that I can notice a slight change in someone’s tone when they speak to me, and sometimes that can send me into an anxiety attack.

Therapy helped me see it is OK to not be OK. I never realized how liberating it is to be open, and not hold everything in all the time.

Art Williams once said, “I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy. I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”

This quote represents my journey through mental health. Life is not going to be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.

The Reporter October 2019 Opinions

The definition of joke is, “a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter.”

There are so many things that you can go around joking about, sports, school, and so much more.

Suicide, school shootings and depression on the other hand, are some things that shouldn’t be joked about, but still get laughs out of so many people. These are things that need to be taken seriously but sadly are not. These jokes make it a lot harder for the people who are struggling with these things or thoughts.

By making random jokes or comments that you don’t mean, can make all of this seem like one big joke to everyone.

This isn’t a joke and shouldn’t be taken like one. There is a seriousness to these topics that need to remain significant. In the past, I have heard many jokes as I’m sitting in class, or walking down the halls. Some make me laugh, some make me confused, and some make me sit there in shock, wondering what is going through their head.

In order to understand why mental health needs to be taken seriously, it would help to know a little bit about it.

Much of this is surrounded by mental health, which is not talked about nearly enough for people to know its importance. No one chooses to be depressed.

It’s something that no one should have to deal with but sadly, 20% of young people suffer with mental illnesses.

Schools only scratch the surface. Having an assembly or two is not nearly enough to show students the importance. Schools need to be more open about these topics and stop treating them like something terrible is going to happen if you even mention it. We as schools and as a community need to come together to not only talk about but accept the fact that it’s okay to talk about mental health and to speak of your feelings. There are so many things that can help to deal with these hard times and one of them is laughter.

Laughing can have such a big impact on your mental health. It can decrease your anger, ease distressing emotions, change your perspective, and so much more. Laughing things off with your friends is a great way to go about your day, but no one should have to laugh off their mental health.

Design By Kylee Slyter

Junior gavin clemetson {

}

paityn hughes reporter

Gavin Clemetson, junior, says his biggest struggles are having work after school and keeping his teammates motivated.

Clemetson plays on the varsity soccer team.

“Sometimes practice is

rough when people don’t listen.” Gavin keeps his teammates motivated by making sure they’re staying on task and working hard. Motivating the team to keep their heads up can be hard some days when they’re feeling tired, he said.

Clemetson’s hardest mo-

ments are when the team loses soccer games he knows they could’ve won.

His happiest moments are winning soccer games and playing well. Clemetson’s other struggle is working at Subway. The hardest days for Clemetson are when he has work and practice after school.

sophomore Hailey Jones {

senior miranda carrete {

katie heger reporter

}

Miranda Carrete, senior, loves to play tennis and hang out with her friends. When it comes to tennis, Carrete has been playing since freshman year.

“My mom said either do track or tennis and I don’t

like running so I chose tennis!”

Carrete has loved her four years at the high school and her only advice to her freshman self would be, “you shouldn’t care so much about what people think.”

“I used to dress cute every day to try and impress the upperclassmen and

one day, a cute junior said “hi” to me and I ran into a trashcan.”

Carrete has also acquired a lot of friends throughout the years including her tight knit advisory.

“We are just like a little family and I love them so much.”

} Sophomore Jonathan Schaub {Natalie Glassel}

Mady Robertson

{madisyn robertson} reporter

Design By abby heger

reporter

“If I could go back in time, I would give both of my grandpas big hugs and I would spend more time with them before they died.”

“My piece of advice is to never push your family away because of what they did or how they are. If they love you and treat you well, then that’s all that matters.

Don’t always go along with your first impression of people. They can always be what they don’t seem to be. Never try to be someone you aren’t for people who don’t treat you well because you’ll be happier with people who love you

reporter

“When I grow up, I want to be a millionaire. I’m going to go into the military and save up money and pay for college.

Then, I’m going to get audio certificates, literature and composer degrees, visual production effects in the industry of music production and videos.

I used to like country, but now I listen to R&B and rap. Sometimes I listen to Lil Pump

and Justin Bieber, not at the same time though. I’m kind of a dork so I stick with basics, like Eminem.”

“I like DJ Khaled where he gets like seven people together to make a four-minute musical piece. If I’m in the mood to flex on people, when I know I can’t, I listen to Lil Pump ‘ESGETIT’. It’s a classic banger. If I’m cruising around, sometimes I listen to Justin Bieber or that genre, but not very often.

The Reporter october 2019 people of paola

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1 in 603

a series providing a glimpse into the life of one out of the 603 unique students at PHS

Hold the Door king shows compassion at new school {

}

The move to Paola was a positive change for King, largely because of his increased access to Reporter potential friends and social interaction, he said.

“Since the very first day of school, I have Moving to a new school, especially during senior year, can be an awkward experience for been enjoying my time in Paola, trying to fit in and to adjust.” King said. anyone.

Although King said he isn’t good at rememThis is especially true for Tyler Kusmich-King, who moved to Paola from California. bering names, he tends to remember faces King started off senior year by holding open much easier..

“I was holding the the main doors door for everyone, just or playing to try to see new faces, music in the This was a lot bigger than my old school, I’d been and be able to recogmornings for in a small, part rural, part city area, so coming to nize everyone,” King other students. said.

Paola was a big change.

“I’m just a Holding open the b ig - h e a r t e d Tyler King, senior door has paid off for person for peoKing. So far, he has ple; I like befound friends in seing nice, and pretty much have nothing to do in the morn- niors Michael Lindburg and Adam Swisher and junior Michael Hatch. ing,” King said.

Lindburg moved to Paola from Northern Until moving to Kansas, King had been home-schooled for most of his life. He saw his Heights High School. Lindburg said one of the friends on field trips and once a week when he biggest changes was the size of the school.

“My old school was small compared to Paola, went into school, to meet with teachers. As a result of his homeschooling, social contact with maybe a sixth of its size,” he said.

King and Lindburg both became more social children his age was hard to come by.

For that reason, he petitioned his aunt to put by moving to new schools.

“They help me get out of the house they show him in a public school.

“I kept begging my aunt to put me into reg- me places in town I haven’t been. They help me ular high school because I was getting tired of a lot, but most of all they care for me and they give me someone I can always go to,” King said. being home-schooled,” King said.

Mason Escobar

{

Design By Skyler Hughes

}

Above: Tyler King holds open the door on Sept. 10. King holds open the door every morning to learn new faces and to show compassion. “I was getting here at about 7, and then holding the door open for about 500 kids,” King said. {Photo by Skyler Hughes}

The Reporter October 2019 Features

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THERE IS NO

Off-season

athletes extra effort in summer pays off {

Abby Richmond Copy Editor

}{

Addison Smith Asst. Managing Editor

}

Lily Hermes, senior, has run cross country at the high school for four years. Hermes said she knows, to do well, she has to train in the off-season.

“It makes the season easier, and it’s hard to train for both distance and speed at the same time, so if you can get one done in the summer that really helps,” Hermes said.

In every sport and every season athletes dominate the game. What sets a lot of these athletes apart is the work they put in during the off-season.

Even though cross country is an individual sport, Hermes said the team has a special relationship because they train in the off-season.

“There is a bond you get when doing something miserable together, and when it is 5 a.m. and you are all together running, it definitely makes you closer to each other,” Hermes said Soccer coach Corey Troast said he knows which athletes put in the extra work.

“It’s very evident because the biggest difference I see is fitness. The kids that come in the summer are in better shape, versus the kid that shows up on the first day,” Troast said.

Sutter Conrad, sophomore, became a member of the football program, the fifth winning-est football team in Kansas. Conrad moved from Osawatomie knowing he would have to prove himself.

“In Osawatomie, I already had a starting spot.

(At Paola) I have to prove to the coaches that I can do what they need me to do, and I can keep up with my teammates,” Conrad said Conrad said he was able to keep up with his teammates because of his workouts in the off-season.

“I wake up at 4:30 and workout till 6:30. At 12, I will then workout till 2 and then at 5 I will workout till 7 and I will run in between each workout,” Conrad said Mckenzie Gagnebin, senior, has been on the volleyball team for four years and has started varsity the past two. Gagnebin, as a senior, leads by example by putting in the off-season work.

“I think everybody should work hard during the off-season. Not only does it prepare you for the season, but it shows coaches and your teammates that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make the team better,” Gagnebin said.

Gagnebin’s average summer day started with waking up at 5:30 to go to strength at 6, from strength she would then make her way to the track to throw with Coach Scott Karr till 9. She would then be at volleyball till 11:30 and then head to her job. To end the day, Gagnebin competed at summer league volleyball with the rest of the team.

Gagnebin has been putting the off-season work in for six summers and knows it can get crazy.

“It is always worth it,” she said.

5:30 am

Mckenzie’s summer schedule

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Wake Up

Strength

6 am - 7:30 am The Reporter October 2019 Sports

Top: The football team gathers together for their prayer at the end of the practice, on Sept. 4 “Prayer brings the team closer together, and I’m all for team chemistry,” said Coach Mike Dumpert (photo by Jayda Logan) Middle: Lily Hermes, senior, paces herself during a cross country meet. The team ran at Johnson County Community College on Sept 7. Hermes finished her race in 23:22. (Photo by Emma Johnson) Below: Mckenzie Gagnebin, senior, jumps to tip a ball during a summer league match. The volleyball team competed at the Elite Sports facility once a week to prepare them for the regular season. (Photo courtesy of Adam Bancroft)

7:30 am - 9:15 am

Throwing @ track

12:30 pm - 5 pm

Volleyball Practice 9:30 am - 11:30 AM

Work

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Volleyball games 7 PM - 9 PM Design By Abby Richmond & Addison Smith

Queens of the court the girls tennis team begins its first season with dominance

Q&A with Rachel Reimer

Why did you decide to join the tennis team?

I thought that it would be super fun and it looks cool.

What’s your favorite part of being on the team?

Being able to be friends with upperclassman and just having a good time.

Do you prefer playing doubles or singles?

I prefer singles because you can’t blame anyone but yourself when you mess up.

Above: Macaela Garrett, 12, finishes her match while playing against Bonner Springs Sept. 10.

Right: Alyssa Kelly, prepares to volley back the ball in her match at Wyandotte Park on Sept. 5. Kelly has now played tennis at Paola for two years..{Photos by Liv Meridith}

{ Kaylee Miller } Reporter

It’s the first practice of the high school’s first girls’ tennis team. You can feel the girls’ excitement in the air as they discuss goals and the precedents that will come with their new tennis program.

Coach Dan Clark, assistant coach, said his and Coach Kimberly Prockish’s main goals are to get the girls excited about all the opportunities that come with a new sport.

“In this new sport, the girls that have never played before are the kids that you want to keep out [playing for the team] because they get better over time. The girls that have played before, you want to continue to keep out because of the excitement that now they get to compete against other girls,” Clark said.

Design By Liv Meridith

Macaela Garrett, senior, is one of the “new girls” Clark referenced.

Garrett is excited and has set goals for the season.

“One of my goals is to work together as a team and have fun,” Garrett said.

Garrett said people will be surprised about what the girls tennis team has to offer.

“I think everyone will be surprised to see the accomplishments we have completed together,” Garrett said.

Garrett and Rachel Reimer, freshman, said they joined tennis after seeing others like Serena Williams, American professional tennis player and former world No. 1, play tennis on TV. “I’ve always watched it on TV and watched Serena Williams and it looked like a fun sport,” Garrett said.

Reimer said she started playing

Have you been enjoying this season?

Yes. I love it, the team is hilarious.

tennis because of the physical aesthetic.

“I played tennis during the summer and I thought it was really fun. I also wanted to join a sport to stay in shape,” Reimer said.

Reimer said she enjoys the support from the upperclassmen.

“We all are pretty new and we support each other,” Reimer said.

Clark and Reimer said they love being a part of the tennis team “My favorite thing is that I get to be friends with upperclassmen and that I just get to have a good time,” Reimer said.

Clark said his favorite thing about coaching the girls’ tennis team is working with the athletes after school in a setting other than the classroom.

Although the tennis team is brand new, the girls have consistently placed at each meet.

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Curtis Long & Monty Chayer

The Reporter oCTOBER 2019 Sports

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HALLOWEEN holiday favorites and traditions {

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Jayda logan Reporter

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Autumn Craig, sophomore

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2. Caramel Apple Suckers

3. Crabbie Pattie Gummies

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“My favorite part of Halloween is the parties. Halloween parties never cease to amaze me.”

Ashton McRoberts, junior

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Trick or Treat

9% pass out candy

activities 11%

nothing

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hangs with friends

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“I like halloween because I get to eat candy and hang out with my friends.”

CJ Ova, Freshman

Favorite Halloween Movies

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Hocus Pocus

A boy and his sister moves to Salem, Oregon. After moving the siblings and their new friend’s exploration of an abandoned house leads to the freeing of three witches. It becomes their mission to steal the witches book and keep them from becoming immortal.

Halloween Town

A mom and her two kids find out they are a family of witches when their grandma takes them to Halloween town, a town of the supernatural. Using their new powers they fight against evil.

Monster House

Source: a survey of 19% of the student body Movie pictures: Google

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The Reporter October 2019 Halloween

Three boys believe the house across the street is alive and intends to cause harm to them.

With Halloween approaching they decide to save kids by destroying the evil structure.

Design by Haleigh West