Life inswimthebecomesFasta lifelong Lanepassion Emma Johnson, junior, said she’s done well after not competing for more than a year because of the pandemic restrictions. “My goal for the season was to just better myself for my teammates,” Emma said. The girls team placed second in the League Meet May 12. Emma placed 10th in the 100yard backstroke May 5. Adeline Stuebner, freshman, placed fourth in the 100-yard backstroke at League. The hardest part about swimming for Johnson was water resistance “It makes it more physically demanding on your muscles, which adds more strain to your body,” Emma said. Following in his sister’s footsteps, Sam Johnson, freshman, started swimming young, too. “My older sister was doing it and my mom kind of forced me into it, but I like it now,” Sam said. He said his season went well by winning a lot of meets, but missing state by .01 seconds in the 50 meter freestyle. Sam said success relies on a lot of practice. “It is very physically demanding, so a lot of practice time is spent conditioning,” Sam said. Coach Andy Dehdasht started coaching the OsawatomiePaola-Louisburg team this year. As Osawatomie High School principal, Dehdasht said coaching allowed him know students on a different level. “It allows me to build closer relationships with the swimmers and their parents,” Dehdasht said. He said the hardest part about swimming is motivation. “You train for hours and swim
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thousands of yards through a season with a hope to drop fractions of a second,” Dehdasht said. Dehdasht said he is passionate about coaching swim. “I am a very competitive person so coaching definitely satisfies that,” Dehdasht said.
Abi Koelsch, freshman
Sam Johnson, freshman, swims the free-
style for the Miami County boys swim team at the league meet. Johnson was on the first-place 200-yard medley relay team, placed second in the 100-yard freestyle and third in the 50-yard freestyle.
Adeline Stuebner, freshman, swims the butterfly during the League Meet in Osawatomie May 12, placing fourth in the race with the team placing second overall. Photos courtesy of Gene Morris
Swim Supplement
Abby Heger Abi Koelsch & Lily Woolsey HJ
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the adventure begins seniors to start a new chapter Ryan Sloan, senior, talks to his
friends while waiting to walk across the stage May 15. Graduation was relocated from the track to the auxillary gym because of rain. “Graduation went a lot better than I expected,” Sloan said. Photo by Brooklyn Harmon
Art by Delana Johnston
excerpt of graduation speech by
tabitha cantrell, senior On the first day of school, I was listening to my Spotify playlist made up of songs from musicals, and the song “Seasons of Love” from RENT came on. The third line of the song is “525,600 minutes, how do you measure? Measure a Year” This got me thinking because I knew things were going to be different this year. Nobody knew how long we would last. People were taking bets that we would be out in a week or two. That didn’t happen obviously and now here we are. But I started wondering, “how is our class going to measure our senior year?” I thought maybe we would measure it in how many masks we had to buy, how many of us got Covid, how many events were going to be canceled and how many memories we weren’t going to be able to make, but our class amazed me and made this a positive year that is one to remember. We didn’t measure our last year in all of the negative ways we could have. We measured our year in how many football, soccer, and basketball games we won, and how many track, swim, and wrestling meets, and tennis matches we won. We measured the year in how many people attended our theatre performances, how many times the band heard Starks say “gush and go” during the marching season, and how many judging practices we had for FFA. We measured our year in how many sketches were due for Art, how many speeches and duets were performed in Foren-
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sics, and how many jokes were made during choir. We measured our year in how many events we were still able to do despite the fact that we had to do them differently and we measured it in the number of Comp assignments that became team efforts rather than individual assignments. The most comforting sentence for us this year became “I haven’t started Comp yet either.” We got through this year by being there for each other. We all worked together by staying safe, most of the time, in order for all of us to stay in school rather than going remote again. Look around at the people sitting next to you. No, actually, look around. We all made each other into the people that we are today. Through all of the drama and dumb moments our class has had, we have all grown together in one way or another. We overcame so many challenges together this year, and as we begin our next journey in life, whether that be going to college, a trade school, the military, taking a year off, or getting a job we must decide how we are going to measure our adult lives. Some of us will come back to this small town and settle down, and some of us will never come back again, but all of us will always have a small connection and that is that we are the graduating members of the class of heck yeah we made it. Congratulations and thank you!
Garrett Williams and Taylor Worthey, seniors, throw their caps
into the air after graduating at 10 a.m. May 15 in the gym after being relocated from the football stadium because of rain. “It felt surreal that something that I had worked so hard for was finally here and I could not believe it. I am so thankful for the people who helped me get here, ” Worthey said. Photo by Brooklyn Harmon
chloe’s top 3 moments at phs source: Chloe Gerken
Emma Gage, senior, laughs as she receives the salutatorian award. “This feels like a huge milestone in my academic career,” Gage said. Photo by Carlie Stallbaumer
1. Prom 2. Strength class with [Teacher Dan] Clark and my friends 3. Powder puff Graduation Supplement
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gonegolf team clubbin’ moves towards success
In golf, competition created a reason for Seth Aistrup, junior, to start playing. His goal was to play and beat his dad. “Now I can. I want to beat everyone I play with while having fun” Aistrup said. He also enjoyed seeing others play and being outdoors. Aistrup placed second at the Independence Regional shooting an 81 on May 17 to qualify for state. He also led the golf team at the Paola Country Club April 12, shooting an 83. Paola placed third at the home meet with Zach Donahue 94; Evan McMillan 96; Jonas Sanders 99; Ben Timpe 100; Aaron Koechner 115. Individual players’ goals differed. Mitchell Ball, sophomore, planned to learn the game better, learn the rules, and hit the ball with better accuracy. Ball started playing golf in July when he got a job at the country club. “I realized it was pretty fun, so played more,” Ball said. Ball planned to stick with the sport because he liked being on the team. “I enjoy the weather and have
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fun with the people on the team,” Ball said. He also knew he would want to have golf as a skill when he was older. He said part of his success was because of Coach Todd DeYoung, who gave him tips to improve. “He has definitely helped me with my swing. At the beginning of the year, I was nowhere close to using my swing at its full potential,” he said. He also enjoyed DeYoung’s personality. “DeYoung is just a fun and easy person to be around,” Ball said DeYoung had played golf since he was 13. The more he played, the better he became, he said. “It was encouraging to see improvement most of the time,” DeYoung said. DeYoung said to be successful in golf, players need to know they will not hit a good shot every time.
Ashley freshman
Winterscheid,
Connor Barnum, freshman, starts practice with
working on his drives. Barnum had been practicing for the golf tournament. Photo by Lilia Parks
Aaron Koechner, sophomore,
gets ready for his swing while at golf practice. Photo by Lilia Parks
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Ashley Winterscheid Avery Winterscheid & Brooklyn Harmon
Conquering the court tennis team prepares for the season A Carden Escobar, sophomore, works on
his hits at tennis practice on April 30, 2021. He had been preparing for his next match, and state. “I’m very confident in my skills and I think placing at state is within reach,” Escobar said. Photo by Lily Woolsey
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YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE THE DESIRE TO COMPETE. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DO THAT, THEN YOU’RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL
Athletes chose to play sports for different reasons. Matthew Blackie, freshman, had chosen to play tennis, because he liked how everyone on the team was treated. “Everyone here is really accepting,” Blackie said. Blackie initially planned to compete in track, but made the decision to join the tennis team instead. “At first, I thought I wanted to do track. Then I realized I didn’t, but I still wanted to do a spring sport, so I just thought ‘hey, there’s tennis’,” Blackie said. Blackie played tennis for about a year. Which is a little less time than his teammate, Carden Escobar, who started summer of 2019. “The first time I played tennis, I picked it up quickly,” Escobar said. Escobar’s main goal for the season was to make it to state, which he did by placing fifth at regionals and 12th overall at state. His motivation to play came from the love for the game. He also looked up to tennis star Novak Djokovic, who played for the Serbian team. “He is a very important tennis player and has the record for the longest streak of time at the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings,” he said. Escobar’s favorite part of tennis came after knowing he played well. “My favorite part about tennis is the feeling after the ball leaves my racket and I know it’s a good hit,” he said. Escobar hoped to show his abilities as he played. “During the match, my biggest motivation is proving my skill. It’s a duel between me and my opponent, there are no other factors,” he said. Escobar planned to continue playing tennis after he graduated. “I love the game and the rush of
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Dan Clark, tennis coach
being one-on-one,” he said. One of the reasons tennis was so important to him was because it made him feel good. “When I win, I know I played better than my opponent in that match. Even when I lose, I know I tried my hardest,” Escobar said. Part of Escobar’s success came from always having his coach in his corner, not only to help him improve his skill, but also to make sure he stayed confident. “Clark has helped me learn to keep my head up when I get behind in a match,” Escobar said. Dan Clark, tennis coach, had coached many different sports since 1995, including basketball, and baseball. When he saw an opening for tennis, he thought it would be a good fit for him. “It was just an opportunity to start coaching again,” Clark said. Clark enjoyed coaching because he got to see teens after school and hear a report of their day. He also enjoyed strengthening his friendships with other coaches. Clark had set many goals for the season. “This is my first year as the head boys coach. I want to get familiarized with them, but our goal is to get to state,” Clark said. Those goals take a lot of time and effort from both the coaches, and the players. Clark hoped to see his players reach those goals. “You’ve got to have the desire to compete. You’ve got to have the want to work hard and a good attitude. When you have a desire to compete, you have the desire to work hard and you get to have fun. If you’re able to do that, then you’re going to be successful,” Clark said.
Avery Winterscheid, freshman
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Home Sweet Home dedication brings teams closer F
astball, curveball, screwball and drop curve. These throws were all too familiar to pitcher Jacie Collier, sophomore. She said being a pitcher took hard work and dedication. “My biggest struggle is staying consistent with practicing because to be a pitcher you have to be willing to put in the work,” Collier said. Seeing the team’s consistency and progress pushed Collier to improve. When a teammate or Collier scored a run or made an amazing play, it made the practice worth it. “My most rewarding experience has been seeing my team win and knowing I was a part of it,” she said. Collier said the team’s versatility gave the team an edge. For example, Hannah Billesbach, junior, played catcher, third base and left field. Being catcher was her favorite. “I like knowing I can see the entire field and have control of where the ball is going,” Billesbach said. Billesbach competed against five other teammates who also loved the position. She often played catch with her dad and ran catching drills in her free time. Billesbach said she also tried to to motivate her teammates. “I give pep talks to the freshman, always cheer on my
team,...help the ones that don’t understand and act like a team mom,” Billesbach said. To Billesbach, the team’s positive attitude set it apart because it created a supportive and encouraging environment in which everyone backed each other up. Varsity softball ended its season with a 12-10 record after loss in the Regional Final to Bishop Miege on May 18. Junior Varsity’s record was 13-7. The baseball team valued positivity, and showed it by putting the word “Mudita” on the back of its practice jerseys. “It means to be proud of your teammate’s accomplishments,” Eli Meyers, freshmen, said. Meyers said the team felt pride in its good hitters and impressive on-base percentage. Coach Morgan Roth motivated Meyers by telling him he believed in Meyers and he would have a great game. Meyers said Kale Murdock, sophomore, always told Meyers to keep his head up and have fun. By motivating each other, it pushed them to play hard, he said. The baseball team won its regionals, qualifying for the state tournament May 20-21 in Salina by beating Wamego 7-6 on May 18. The team’s overall record was 20-2. (after regionals)
Anna Campa, freshman Top left: Bryn Grandon, junior, gets a hit against Piper on March 30 . With this hit, he was able to get to first base and allow for a teammate to score a run.
Right: Aidan Hartig, senior, slides into home to score against Prairie View April 8. The varsity boys won 19-4.
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Anna Campa Erica Dasilva
Top middle: Jacie Collier, sophomore, winds up for the
pitch against Piper March 30. The girls finished the season with a 12-10 record.
Top right: Garrett Williams, senior, prepares to strike out the Piper batter March 30. The boys won 16-6.
Q&A Tony Brummer, baseball coach
How long have you coached baseball? I have coached baseball in one role or another since 1996. What is the team’s biggest advantage? Their pitching. However, our hitting and execution has been good this season. What was your most rewarding experience ? Getting to play! When you get the season ripped off out from unde. your feet like last year, you find a new appreciation in getting to coach the
Baseball & Softball Supplement
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Lights, Camera, Action Seussical the musical hits off spring Red fish, blue fish, one play, one musical. The theater department performed “Seussical, the Musical” for five nights in April. Every aspect of the play involved singing, which challenged senior Amber Berrey, stage m a n ager. “ I have never had any musical talent, so I’m learning to read music as we are going forward. That is really challenging for me,” Berrey said. Though the process was hard, Berrey said seeing the play was awesome. “[One of my favorite parts was] working with all of the different people, getting to know them and also seeing [the play] from the very beginning up until the end scene,” Berrey said. Rosie Smith, choir teacher, also enjoyed seeing the final result of the play. “The music turned out like I imagined and got even better with each performance. Getting to sing it in context was a great way for the actors to explore new ways of showcasing their talent,” Smith said. She said the music could be difficult to teach and learn. “There is quite a bit of repetition in the songs throughout the show which could seem like it would make things easier, but in reality it can be tough to catch the very slight changes that occur,” Smith said. Smith said her students kept improving. “My favorite part about teaching the music was seeing the students grow each week of rehearsal. As they got more comfortable, they were able to dive deeper and produce something really special,” Smith said. Ethan Cerros, senior, also liked seeing everyone progress. “Being in a show together makes a lot of people bond -- freshmen and sophomores up to seniors. It’s interesting to
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see how it works out, and it’s cool to see how they develop,” Cerros said. Cerros starred as the lead, Horton the Elephant. Cerros said he always wanted to work hard to set an example. “As I kept growing in theater, the seniors were doing really well, so I thought maybe someday I’ll be a leader too,” Cerros said. Cerros played his last high school role, as freshman Emma Haley took on her first major role. “My favorite night was the second to last performance. It had a lot of energy and everything was going right that night,” Haley said. After the last show, the cast gathered to sing their favorite songs from the show like “Sola Sollew” and “Havin’ a Hunch.” “The song, ‘It’s Possible’ has gotten stuck in my head a lot. I’ll just start singing it in class,” Haley said. Haley has been a part of musical theater for four years, beginning at the Community Center with Alice in Wonderland and including Tom Sawyer, Oliver Twist and Anne of Green Gables. Jay Peebles, freshman, played Jojo all. Peebles agreed performing a musical was challenging. “I’ve done plays and choir, but mashing them up into one is not easy,” Peebles said. Peebles loved the finished project. “Just seeing it come together, it was amazing, and it just filled me with so much happiness,” Peebles said.
Dylan George, junior, dances, with the crew, during Seussical the musical April 9. He starred as The Cat in the Hat. Photo by Delana Johnston
Hazel Downum, freshman Lillie Ball, freshman
Brooklyn Harmon Hazel Downum & Lillie Ball
Jay Peebles, freshman, stars as Jojo during Seussical the Musical April 9. Photo by Delana Johnston
Autumn Craig, junior,
and juniors Shannera McCoy, Tatiana Loving-Leeker, Heather Hudson, and senior Mia Garrett, end the song, “Amayzing Mayzie” on April 9. Photo by Delana Johnston.
Ethan Cerros, senior, sits in his nest looking
for safety during Seussical the Musical April 9. He starred as Horton. Photo by Delana Johnston
- Emma Haley
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dressed up to get down Prom heads to Hollywood for red carpet fun Gus Wright Walker, senior, sing along
during the dance at Prom April 27. Photo by Delana Johnston
Nick Walker, senior,
rides the mechanical bull at the after prom April 27 at Town Square. “I felt like a real cowboy up there.” Walker said. Photo Courtesy of Jullie Gleghorn
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IF YOU DON’T LOOK STUPID WHILE DANCING THEN YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG
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Ben Timpe, senior
Nick Walker, senior, rides the mechan-
ical bull at the after prom April 27. After Prom was also at Town Square. “The mechanical bull was dope. I felt like a real cowboy up there.” Walker said. Photo by Delana Johston
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Brooklyn Harmon Emma Jenkins & Sylvie Klaasmeyer
Jovanni Blackie, junior, crowd surfs at prom
April 24 at Town Square sponsored by junior parents. “It felt like I was king of the world,” Blackie said. Photo by Hazel Downum
Hannah Billesbach and Noah Gerken, juniors, walk the red carpet into prom. Walk-in was on Wea Street because it was hosted off campus. Photo by Anna Campa
Andrew Cline, junior, sports a purple top hat
and cane as he walks the red carpet for walk-in April 24. Photo by Anna Campa
1. “First Day Out” by Tee Grizzly 2. “Low” by Flo Rida 3. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
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dakota’s topsource:3 songs Dakota Paris
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PICKING OUT JEWELRY AND HEELS HAS BEEN THE MOST TIME-CONSUMING PART OF THE PROCESS. Grace Thomas, senior
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Thetrack race to state athletes share similar goals Thomas Harp, junior, clears the pole at the home track meet Vincet Jones, freshman, long jumps at the Eudora track April 8. Photo by Lily Woolsey
meet on March 30. Photo by Lily Woolsey
Laudan Wilson, sophomore, said she felt good about the track season even though she didn’t get a good start as freshman because the pandemic canceled it. Wilson ran in the 1600m relay, 3200m relay, and the 200m dash. Wilson “I want to have fun, but I also want to take it seriously and do my best. I want to PR in all of my events and I think I can accomplish this and place at state,” Wilson said Paola’s sophomore jumper, Hope Bishop also hoped to record personal bests PR in her events to place at state. Senior Ben Timpe joined track for his first time. “I am taking it seriously, but throwing with my friends is really fun and I enjoy it,” Timpe said Braeden Whitehurst, junior, wanted to focus on doing the best he can in all of his events.
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Whitehurst competed in the 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles, triple jump and the 1600m relay. “Last year without track made me worse,” he said. “I am not doing as well as I should be, but I’m getting up there. I like competing and being able to hang out with friends and hope to get college offers for track.” Maggie Kauk, sophomore, enjoyed competition and liked to win. “I’m too competitive to do things just for fun so I really try my best and I like to compete, it’s fun to win. I didn’t get my freshmen year and I haven’t done anything since middle school I was rusty, but we have really good coaches so it took awhile to get back into the swing of things but eventually it was fine,” Kauk said.
Sheldon Martin, sophomore
Brooklyn Harmon Sheldon Martin Job # 03148
State results: top 5
Girls: Overall 2nd place 800m run Marina Johnson 2nd 3200m run Darian Hudgeons 2nd 300m hurdles Maddie Pitzer 3rd 4x800m relay Hazel Downum, Hudgeons, Laudan Wilson, Johnson 4th 4x400m relay Addy Jones, Wilson, Pitzer Johnson 2nd Shot Put Jade Meade 5th Long Jump Kauk 2nd Triple Jump Schlup 3rd Kauk 5th Boys: Shot Put Caden Rhamy 4th Discus Rhamy 5th Long Jump Bo Robison 5th Javelin Robison 2nd Pole Vault James Earlywine 4th Source: Miami Co. Republic
Track & Field Supplement HJ
School Paola High School
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