Volume 57 - October Issue by The Totem

KANSAS CONFERENCE

COMPETITION

est.2018

wins & loses

Athletes start competing in UKC league. Get an update on their progress and how the new league is impacting old traditions. +More on pg. 18

NEW Rivalries

Shawnee Heights High School // Tecumseh, Kansas

THE

TOTEM

Volume 57 // Issue 1

NEW Beginnings

NEW

TEAMS LEAGUE

TRADITION

TABLE 0f CONTENTS 8

HOM

MIN O C E

pth n - d e r ’s i n a ea Get his y t t a look ecoming hom dates i cand

U KC

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CH ILD HO OD CA NC ER AWAR EN ES S

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PHO TO: J

eni D aley

PHOTO: Ryan Good

Editor’s Note

ince I started kindergarten at Tecumseh South, Shawnee Heights has been a part of the Centennial League. In middle school, our rivals were teams like Seaman and Washburn Rural, and that carried on up to the high school. For the last two years, the most important and exciting games were the rivalries within the Centennial League. Nearly every game was a blast, even blowout games like when we scored 100 points against Hayden in 2017. We also were able to do things never done before within our rivalries, like last year when we beat Manhattan in football for the first time in 30 years. An away game was generally a 30-minute drive maximum, except for Manhattan or Junction City, and because those were exceptions the long road trip was worth it. Those long drives are now the norm. So far, football games haven’t been as fun. While obviously I still want Heights to get the win, I don’t have as much of a desire to attend. It doesn’t affect me as much if we lose to a team that I don’t know anyone from, unlike last year where I knew a bunch of people from the local schools we played, making the rivalries more personal. It made games more exciting and important. If we lost, we would hear about it from friends at schools like Topeka High and Washburn Rural, which made the student section louder and more into the game. Old rivals make for strong school spirit. A new league with strangers for opponents is full of disinterest. Since we have less league games next year, it allows for more out of conference games which means, thankfully, we still have chance to play these old rival teams, but these games are few and far between. This also means that for sports like basketball where we play league teams twice, there is much more traveling since we’ll play each team in our league as an away game, too. No matter what other people argue, driving to the Kansas City suburb on a Tuesday night is easily an hour each way. I simply don’t see our students making the trip. One of the best memories I have from a sports season from my freshman year is beating Seaman in basketball three times in one year. We proved ourselves three times against the team who was probably our biggest rival, whether it was on our home turf or theirs. If we’re lucky, we get one shot at these teams, and that’s if we schedule them for a non-conference game. While there are numerous reasons that I’ll miss the Centennial League and all of the rivalries and traditions it brought, I’m trying to remember the UKC does bring new opportunities. New teams to play, rivalries to be built, traditions to be made, and new trophies to seek. While it may seem like nothing good can come from it right now, I know traditions and rivalries are built over time. In 10 years, students at SHHS will know nothing of the Centennial League and they’ll be talking about the big game versus their new rival. I am ready to see what Shawnee Heights can do in the United Kansas Conference. STORY: Colton Thompson

The Totem Staff Adviser:

Jeni Daley

Editor in Chief:

Colton Thompson

Business/Social Media Editors: Ethan Armbruster Isaiah Wilson

Copy Editors:

Rebecca Donaldson Olivia Talbert

Digital Editor:

Andrea Lopez

Staff:

Drew Buchanan Ehllee Buckholtz Brianna Caldino Bryce Cook Taylor Dekok Kiana Glenn Alex Lane Taylor Lincoln Shalynn Long Andrea Lopez Brooke Moore Toby Moss Tia Munoz Mia Osier Laurel Padilla Maddie Rice Hunter Wohler Josh Ybarra The Totem is a student publication produced by students from scratch during the newspaper class held during 3rd block. The thoughts and views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the board, administrators, or faculty and staff of the school. The Totem is a public forum and is created for the primary audience: the student body. Editorial staff make all decisions with guidance from the adviser. Content is not reviewed prior to publication by administration. Any comments, concerns, or letters to the editor may be mailed to the high school or emailed to the adviser with full name and date included.

Shawnee Heights High School Journalism Department 785-730-5150 daleyj@shawneeheights.net thetotem.net

AROUND THE WORLD SHHS welcomes five new foreign exchange students to get the American high school experience

cer team and Colpani is on the junior varsity volleyball team. Both ive students get to experience the new have played sports in Germany and Italy. In other countries, some school year thrill halfway across the world. schools separate sports and academics. Juniors Collin Rahms, Tobias Bendt and “I played volleyball in Italy, we have practice every day after Laura Seline Hennings are form Germaschool. In Italy we had three practices evny, Hector De La Cruz ery week and a game on the weekends Botello is from Mexico “I want to learn English, i want to speak and but here I have games during the and Erica Colpani is the language perfectly, and i want to week; the rules are different, too,” Colpani from Italy. These stulearn about the culture and the people.” said. “Here the libero can serve but in Itadents got the chance -COLIN RAH MS ly, it’s not possible. In Italy the sports are to have the high school separated from school, so for me, it’s very experience in the Unitweird for me to play on my school team ed States. but it’s very cool because you stay with the same people you meet “I want to learn English, I want to speak in the hallway so it’s very cool.” the language perfectly and I want to learn Rhams has played soccer since he was young and is enjoying about the culture and the people,” Rahms playing with the Thunderbirds this year. said. “I’ve played soccer since I was six years old, in Germany I Each student expressed that they played at the soccer club not at school. School spirit is very differwanted to become more fluent in English, ent here and I like it,” Rhams said. and get the American experience through competition. Ramhs is on the varsity socSTORY: Andrea Lopez

SUMMER ABROAD

AFRICA’S ORPHANS

Working in orphanages and churches, senior Hailey Droge spends summer in Mbale, Uganda

ost teens spend their whole to have a loving home and church family. Droge summer laying back and replayed a big part in making this happen while she laxing. Senior Hailey Droge was there. spent hers “I went to the helping othorphanages and iners. Droge got teracted with the chilthe opportunidren. I also helped out ty to travel to with some churches Mbale, Ugandown there. We did da, for ten this thing called hut to days this July. hut evangelism, so we “My aunt would go a mile away and uncle, from the church and they run a nontell people the gosprofit called pel,” Droge said. Kings Kids Kings Kids AfAfrica, and rica has big things so they have planned for this year. some orphanThey want to collabages down orate with other local there and they churches to build two invited me to orphan homes in rural go with them,” Uganda. The orgaDroge said. nization already has According plans laid out for the to KingsKidsAffuture as well. They rica.org, there are an estimated want to have ten homes, five schools, which, in2.5 million orphans currently livclude primary, secondary, and trade, and three ing in Uganda, and churches all built by 2025. many of the kids’ Droge enjoyed the trip “It just opened up my eyes biggest struggle so much that she’s already so much. Living here, you is being prepared planning on going back and could never experience for living on their even wants to take others anything like that.” own after they with her. - HAIL E Y DROGE age out of their “It just opened up my orphanage. Kings eyes so much. Living here, Kids Africa is hopyou could never experience ing to change that. anything like that,” Droge said. The organization’s main STORY: Mia Osier and Tia Munoz goal is to “glorify and honor God by caring for His children in East Africa.” They want kids

>30% of Africa’s Population are orphans

80% of out of school-aged girls are unlikely to ever start school

16% out of school boys never start school

1 out of 5 Adolescents/ youth are out of school P G . 5 / F E ATU RE / OC TOB E R

calculators Graphing calculators purchased for students in honors math classes

dvanced math courses require the use of a graphing calculator, costing students anywhere from $100 to $150. This year, Shawnee Heights purchased 125 new models of graphing calculators available for students on the district’s dime. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE were purchased for math department, and are checked out to individual students through the library. According to the math department, the calculators were requested because some honors students may have not been able to afford their own. Junior Makinze Grittman is in an honors math class and was one of the students to get a schoolprovided calculator. “I use them for [honors math] class, for my honors chemistry class, Intro to Ag, and a bunch of other classes,” Grittman said. There were only 125 calculators for all the math students and the math department requested around 600. The department is in the process of asking for more in the future. With many students not being able to purchase one, the administrators said the honors students would essentially have the first pick over the other students Although this is not the first time the district has provided graphing calculators, the ones purchased are the most recent version. “I currently have 20 calculators that work… and the ones I have are the old ones,” math teacher Stacey Bailey said. Because the old calculators are 25 years old, some of Mrs. Bailey’s calculators have broken screens and are not in optimal condition anymore. These graphing calculators are more bulky compared to the newer versions purchased. The math teachers were planning on having a full set of newer models in the classroom, but this plan was put on pause as they wait the go-ahead on more calculators. STORY: Taylor Dekok

125 $125

ipad cases

Freshmen receive added keyboard cases to iPads to better writing experience on one-to-one devices

or the past six years, every student at the high school received an iPad. However, these one-to-one devices had limitations, specifically when it comes to typing and writing assignments. For the first time this year, the freshmen class received keyboard cases to resolve this issue. The district plans to purchase new keyboard cases for every incoming freshman class over the course of the next three years, until every grade is equipped with keyboards for their device. In the meantime, sophomores, juniors, and seniors still feel they are at a disadvantage, especially when taking upper level AP and honors courses that require more writing. “For all of our college classes, we have to type a lot and do essays, so using the keyboard is better than using the screen because it glitches,” senior Nikayla Dawson said. “All of my friends use their computers because the iPads are too slow.” Last May, the board approved the purchase of 1,200 iPad cases, totaling $119,940 using capital outlay funds. Compared to the protective cases purchased in the past without keyboards, this is an increase from $45 to $99 per case. “Yeah they [upperclassmen] are all kinds of jealous about it - they want the keyboards too,” freshman Ellie Hall said. “I mostly only use it for English.” Junior Chase Johnson acquired a case by switching with a freshman.

Calculators purchased for math students purchase price for each calculator on average

$99 1,200

He simply approached a freshman and asked for the case; they handed it over. “It makes typing a lot easier, with my old iPad case there was a bubble in the screen so to type on the screen I had to slam my finger onto it, so this is a lot easier to use,” Johnson said. Students are not the only ones noticing changes in their work, teachers are also finding it helpful that keyboards were added to the iPads. “I think with them using the keyboards it has been easier for them to type instead of pushing the buttons with their fingers, it just helps their work flow more. It’s easier for them to get more work in,” freshman English teacher Ms. Laura Wiseman said. “In my class we still use paper a lot, and now we’re getting ready to write a paper. I’m hoping they’ll use their keyboards so I don’t have to schedule library time.” STORY: Ehllee Buckholtz & Brooke Moore

COST OF NEW IPAD KEYBOARD CASES CASES PURCHASED FOR FRESHMEN CLASS

BULLY REPORTING School implements new app to report bullying, accidents, and drug use

arassment and bullying is a significant problem in high school. According to the Anti-Bullying Institute, six out of 10 teenagers say they witness bullying every day. However, because many of these incidents go unreported, administration doesn’t always have the information to address the issues. This year, the district implemented a new app called StopIT! Where students can anonymously report things such as bullying, vaping, self harm, and other harmful behaviors. After attending a National Threat Assessment Conference, associate principal Mrs. Sherri Monhollon and the counselors decided StopIT! would allow students to act when they witnessed a problem. Students can submit messages, pictures, screenshots, and other evidence that shows up as an anonymous message directly to administrators. On their end, admin immediately receives a notification including this evidence that they can act on quickly. “We used to have a Google form for bullying and the students never took the time to fill one out,” Mrs. Monhollon said. So far during this year, there have been more reports with the app than there was all of last year with the Google forms. Although there have been a total of 250 reports sent in this year as of publication date, only about 20 percent have been serious or real reports, according to Mrs. Monhollon. The rest have been false accusations against other students or pranks. “I say stupid stuff on it, like one time I said that there were floating cows in my classroom,” a student who asked to remain anonymous said. “I think it’s a good idea if people were to take it seriously but a lot of people just think it’s dumb so they just abuse it,” another Heights student said. However, that same student self reported they do not use the app as intended. “Once we get passed reporting yourselves, it works out pretty good,” Mrs. Monhollon said. There have been at least 3 or 4 reports of self-harm or suicidal thoughts and they have all gotten help already. A school safety issue had been reported and within 4 minutes of it being sent out they had dealt with it. There is a problem with the seriousness of the app. There are students who don’t take it seriously and report false accusations on other students or report things that don’t even make sense. Even though roughly 80% of students use the app for the wrong reasons, some still use it the way they are supposed to.

PG . 7 / SC HOOL NEW S / OC TO BER

“It helps people who don’t have a voice,” another anonymous Heights student said. The app gives students a way of anonymously reporting things such as bullying, vaping, self harm, or other harmful behaviors. STORY: Toby Moss & Josh Ybarra

From the administration side of the app, they can message students asking for additional details to help in investigations. All responses are completely anonymous.

MONDAY TUESDAY

Hero vs. Villain

WEDNESDAY

Star Wars

sophomores

THURSDAY

Disney Character

juniors seniors

FRIDAY

Ohana (family)

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme is centered on Disney, and each grade chose the following themes to represent their class when it comes to competitions for the week. They will be judged on these categories and assigned points for: the best floats, highest participation on spirit days, and loudest chant. The winning class will be announced Friday night.

freshmen

Vintage Minnie & Mickey Mouse Up

Finding Dory

High School Musical

Parade - 1:45 p.m. Coronation - 6:00 p.m. Game - 7:00 p.m.

Neon (Think Coco!)

Narrowed down by the senior class, the final homecoming candidates will be presented at the coronation ceremony on Friday, Oct. 5 before kickoff of the football game.

PHOTOS: Ryan Good & Jeni Daley

MEET THE CANDIDATES

JAxON SULLIVAN DREAM JOB:

Major League Baseball

guilty pleasure:

Raw cookie dough

Celebrity Crush:

CODY JOJO BORTZ KATSBULAS

TYCE BROWN

ISAIAH BONJOUR

Biggest fear:

If you had $1 Million:

Favorite tv show:

Impractical Jokers

Lebron losing to Warriors

WHat should people know:

Dream Vacation:

best school memory:

What should people know:

Eaten by a giant bird while skydiving He is a better bowler than Cayla

Buy a house in Chicago Coasts

Basketball sate

Biggest Fear

“Can’t guard me”

Katherine Langford

Favorite show:

guilty pleasure:

If you had $1 million

Drake and Josh

Keeping Up With The Kardashians

Turf football field

Can beat anyone in 2k

ANNA PAWAR

TORY BLOSSER

CAYLA BORTZ

CHANTSE BOUCHER

HAILEY DROGE

Commitment

Can’t flex her right arm

Celebrity crush:

Dream job:

Biggest fear: what should people know: Cody Bortz

hashtag:

#youyodaddysson

Food Taster

Biggest fear:

Drowning

Hidden talent

#soccerstar

Hashtag:

Favorite show:

Chris Young

Dream Vacation

Celebrity crush:

Hidden Talent:

Dream job:

Guilty pleasure:

Celebrity crush:

Alaska

Homeland security

P G . 9 / SC HOOL NE W S / OCTOBER

Christian Sleeping

The Office Karate

Zac Efron

COLLEGE BOUND Juniors’ free ACT test paid for by Kansas Legislature

“If you wait until you’re a senior to take [the his school year, the state ACT] for the first time, that might be problematic for of Kansas continued the you,” Ms. Greer said. “I’m excited because it causes trend of paying for college some planning...If you find you have some skillsets entrance exams. The you weren’t aware of, you might think about some legislature was the 19th in the career possibilities maybe you country to pass a would have eliminated without law to fund one ACT “If you find you have some knowing that score as a junior.” and WorkKey test skillsets you weren’t aware The WorkKey tes will also during the month of of, you might think about be offered for free for all juniors. February for every some career possibilities This is a test that analyzes work junior in public maybe you would have skills and job positions and can schools throughout eliminated without offer types of colleges that will Kansas. This free knowing that score as a accept those types of students ACT can be taken -REBECCA GREER junior.” based on their test scores. The only on one test WorkKey test date is Feb. 21, date, Feb. 20, 2019. 2019, and that is the only date “It’s more that is paid for by the Kansas legislative. beneficial for some kids “I feel like it’ll get a lot more juniors to take and because some of them don’t maybe give them a head start,” senior Eian Lewis said. actually have the funds to pay Only public school students will receive the free the $50...to pay for the ACT,” testing. Any student at a private institution will not be junior Rylee Boyd said. able to register for the free test. She has taken the ACT To receive the free test, juniors use a waiver to twice already. Considering that pay for the registration fee. The waiver has a serial some students’ families may number in the top-right corner that can be used when struggle with money, having a sumbmitting it under the “How to Apply this Fee free ACT decreases inequality Waiver”. Then proceed to follow the instuctions to use among those of all wealth the waiver. classes attempting a postThe cost of the ACT is generally $46 without secondary education. the writing section and is $62.50 with it (the writing Rebecca Greer is the component is optional because only some schools take Curriculum Director for the this into consideration when reviewing applications). district, and believes this The upcoming test dates are Oct. 27, Dec. 8, Feb. opportunity can benefit the 19 (free option), April 13, June 8, and July 13. One of the Shawnee Heights district for October date locations is occuring in the south wing of juniors to plan more efficiently the high school. The December and June test dates for senior year concerning are also available at SHHS. Deadlines to sign up for their courses. She believes the each test end approximately one month before the test results will give juniors a test dates occur. more accurate picture of their future, which will allow them to STORY: Shalynn Long better customize their senior schedule.

STATE ACT SCORE AVERAGE*

21.7

SHHS ACT SCORE AVERAGE*

21.5

*2017 results according to Kansas State Department of Education 2018 results were not available prior to publication

Rising Star

KYLA JADE

“The Voice” finalist performs at alma mater with SHHS Choraliers

Kyla Jade sings with the Choraliers on stage. Senior Peyton White sang a solo with Kyla to the song “This is Me,” and choir students had the opportunity for a meet and greet and Q&A on the Friday prior to the performance.

PHOTO: Shalynn Long

yla Jade has been a popular name in many households for the past several months. An alumni from Shawnee Heights with an amazing voice, Jade made her claim to fame when she appeared on season 14 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Not only did she get the opportunity to work with stars such as Blake Shelton and Alicia Keys, Jade also took home with an impressive third place finish. After all of this, she made her way back home for a benefit concert. “We thought it would be a really fun idea to see if we could get her to come back and sing here at the high school,” Mr. Robert Doole, the vocal music teacher, said. Mr. Doole has kept close contact with Jade and her family since she graduated in 2002 and supported her throughout her run on “The Voice”. Mr. Doole’s purpose for having Jade come back was to show the connection from where she was at one point to where she is now. He wanted his students to realize that with hard work and determination, it is possible for them to make it to the higher level, just like Jade did. His students even got the opportunity to perform two songs with Jade. Many other high schools in the Topeka area purchased tickets to come watch, and those who bought the VIP tickets had the chance to meet and talk with Jade personally. The concert took place on September 29. All proceeds from the concert went towards the choir and drama departments to purchase necessities. This benefit concert was special to Mr. Doole because it connects with his students, and the curriculum he is teaching them. “We use [the fundraised money] to pay for people to help us with costuming and pay for the special lighting fixtures that we need for the theater. It’s just having that little bit of extra money so that we don’t have to go through and beg and ask and plead with people,” Doole said.

STORY: Tia Munoz

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FUTURE FULL OF HOPE Jobs for America’s Graduates program earns 5 out of 5 distinction

obs for America’s resumes and practice for job interviews,” Robbs Graduates, also known said. as JAG, has been at the SAFE COMMUNITY school for almost four years and is lead by Mr. Jason Robbs. With around 45 students, anyone can join, but This year, the program earned they must have at least five of the 40 barriers to a five star distinction from the success. nationwide program. “I think JAG is good, great, and fresh, I think it Students in the club and is very beneficial for a lot of students,” senior Cheli class learn how to stand on Flores said. their own two feet JAG is a safe community after high school. The for anyone who steps in room program is a stateN616. “It's like a good, based national non“When I first entered JAG supportive community. profit organization I was in juvie and now I haven’t It's not judgmental...” dedicated to had any tarnishes on my -Cheli Flores preventing dropouts record. JAG keeps it low key, among young your business isn’t going to people who have be everywhere, it’s just going serious barriers to graduation to be in the program,” Flores said. and/or employment. According to students in the program, teens JAG at Shawnee face judgment but JAG is an opportunity to work Heights earned five out of out situations, without the fear of being judged. five distinctions from JAG“It’s like a good supportive community, It’s not Kansas and JAG-National. This judgmental, everyone in the program has their own distinction is given to schools like stuff they are going through, and everyone based on success with the helps you as a community and as a program,” JAG program, measuring Flores said. graduation rates, successful STORY: Brianna Caldiño outcomes, employment, postsecondary enrollment, and job placement. According to Mr. Robbs, the program is about giving guidance and vision to students with challenging circumstances so that their futures can be brighter than what they may actually envision on their own.

HANDS-ON LEARNING “JAG is very hands-on, students learn how to write JAG students attended a construction and transportation career fair in Topeka to explore jobs in the industry.

PHOTO: Saydie Langston

Head held high, fist held higher

JOHN CARLOS

John Carlos speaks in an interview at Washburn University on September 6th to an audience of students from high schools all over Topeka.

Celebrating 50 years since the silent protest that would become the voice for American minorities

uring the awards ceremony of the 1968 track and field Olympics, gold medalist-sprinter John Wesley Carlos did the unthinkable during the National Anthem. He and his teammate, Tommie Smith, raised their right fists to stand against racial inequalityunknowingly creating a revolution whose actions would reverberate 50 years into the future. Students from Shawnee Heights attended a session at Washburn University where Carlos described his role and perspective on race in America. “We were demonstrating bigotry, prejudice, bias, and mayhem. The only voice we had was through our endeavors on the athletic field,” Carlos said in an interview with online news channel AJ+. “We felt it was very necessary to go out there and make a statement that would be universal.” Carlos said. “We were demonstrating bigotry, prejudice, bias, and mayhem. The only voice we had was through our endeavors on the athletic field.” -JOHN CARLOS

Despite the racism he faced throughout his childhood, he kept his head held high and chose to see the positive in people. “In order to get on that stand up there, in order to make any type of statement, we still had to go through the process of elimination… we out there to try to fight the evils of society, we still had to mandate our athletic abilities. Because no win, meant no representation,” Carlos said. On October 16, 1968, in Mexico City, history was made. For the Track and Field Olympics, he took the gold medal in the

200 meter dash. During the awards’ ceremony, Carlos and his teammate, Tommie Smith, stepped up to the podium with several articles of clothing missingand wearing several new ones. “We took off our shoes, and wore nothing but black socks to show the poverty that was going through the south. We wore beads, and black scarves around our necks. We wore black shirts to cover up the American flag on our uniforms,” Carlos said. “The black gloves were because we wanted to let them know who we were representing, we were representing black people of America and of the world. We represent the good part of black America right now.” As the sound of the National Anthem blared through the loudspeakers, Carlos and Smith carefully lowered their heads in defiance, and raised their right, gloved fists towards the sky. The image was broadcasted on televisions worldwide. They had made a speechless statement that would become one of the most iconic images in Black history. “We felt that it was our responsibility to shed a light on the illness of society. We wanted to wear our uniforms, and go to the Olympic Games and represent America. But at the same time, we felt that America wasn’t truly representing us,” Carlos said. These Olympic Games just so happened to be the very first time the Olympics were broadcasted on international television. Citizens viewed it as a protest to America, and they failed to see what the action was actually protesting. In response, national Olympic committee president Avery Brundage ordered that Carlos and Smith be immediately suspended from the Olympic team and banned from the

P G . 1 3 / SC HOOL NE W S / OC TOBER

PHOTO: Tiffanie Kinsch

Olympic village. “You had to qualify. And now that I am on the stand and have received my medal, and because you don’t like my politics or my views, you’re going to take my medal away? I had to remind them, that I had earned it,” Carlos said. “I love the stars and stripes, but I wanted the stars and stripes to love me.” -JOHN CARLOS

Even after all the backlash, the rage, and the hate from Americans, Carlos knew he had made the right decision. He had illuminated a beacon of hope, for those who had faced injustice in any kind of way. “Regardless of what they might have thought about me putting my fist in the air, I love the stars and stripes. I love the stars and stripes, but I wanted the stars and stripes to love me.” Despite the repercussions, Carlos did what he did to make people conscious of the problematic society. Africans Americans, other minorities, and under-class citizens that dealt with disadvantages that were inconspicuous to many Americans. His goal was to stand for the group that did not have hope, and give them something to stand for. More than 50 SHHS students traveled to the event to hear Carlos speak, and many came back inspired to address social issues in America today. STORY: Kiana Glenn

Warrior on and off the Field

After five years of treatment, Leukemia no longer limits senior Eli Penrod

t the age of nine, senior Eli Penrod was diagnosed with Leukemia, a cancer that shuts down white blood cells, stopping the ability to fight infections. The month of September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. To show their support, the theme for the first home football game was ‘Gold Out,’ as gold is the color representing childhood cancer. “Eli Penrod has been a tremendous wrestler, but he is just a great kid and we just have so much appreciation and compassion for what Eli has gone through,” football coach Jason Swift said.

Wrestler, football safety, and cancer survivor Eli Penrod (#33) learned not to take anything in life for granted after being treated for leukemia for five years.

Coach Matt Dunkin came up with this year’s theme. Coach Dunkin coaches wrestling as well as football, both sports Penrod is involved in, and has a coworker whose family is struggling with the loss of their daughter. In honor and remembrance, the SHHS student section was covered in gold on Sept. 14. “I went into remission in fifth or sixth grade but I had to go through treatment until the end of my seventh grade year,” Penrod said. After battling Leukemia for about five years, Penrod is still going in for check-ups every six months.

“As an athlete, especially as a football player, he is one of the best kids you could possibly coach. He is loyal, determined, respectful. He always tries his hardest, he puts the team above himself,” Coach Swift said. Penrod has experienced something most students could not imagine. From this Penrod has been able to better himself as an individual. “I appreciate all of the little things, now. I don’t take this for granted as much as I used to. You never know what’s going to get taken away from you,” Penrod said. STORY: Hunter Wohler & Ethan Armbruster

SEPTEMBER

CHILDHOOD CANCER

AWARENESS MONTH Despite having to undergo treatments between the ages of nine and 13, Eli Penrod enjoyed his childhood. An alumni of Tecumseh South, the school put together multiple events to help support the family during the season of treatments.

According to the St. Baldricks Foundation

1 15 2 cancer is the

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disease killer of children in the U.S.

children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. will not survive

As a senior, Eli Penrod is a starting safety for the Thunderbirds and participates on the varsity wrestling squad.

average age of child diagnosed with cancer is

every

minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer

sports GIRLS GOLF

“`We have a lot more people trying out this year...everyone cares about the team,” senior Sydney Wellshear said. The girls golf team has almost doubled their numbers since the past season, four of them being freshman. The girls recently shot a

X COUNTRY Girls

“I think we’re all pretty good,” junior Kylie Phillips said. Philips just recently placed fourth in the meet at Felker on September 8. Phillips also said a goal the girls have this year is make state as a team. The girls next meet will be October 6 at Seaman High School.

382 as a team to win league with Wellshear shooting a personal record of 91. One of the team’s goals this year is to be consistent throughout the season, and the team’s final meet is October 4 at BasehorLinwood High School.

Boys

“Since it’s early in the season people thought we were going to be bad this year but we actually had a lot of up and coming runners who are going to be really good,” senior Griffin Gaggero said. Gaggero also said a goal for the team is to do good in regionals and make it to state. The boys next meet will be October 6 at Seaman High School.

GIRLS TENNIS The girls tennis team is coming in under new coaching this year. Riley Propps took over as head coach for the team this year. “He’s all about having fun,” junior Kristen Hines said. Hines and her doubles partner, senior Katherine Cook, just recently

placed second in their meet at Kossover. The girls next meet will be regionals on October 6, hoping to qualify for state competition.

UPDATE BOYS SOCCER The T-Birds have gotten their goals from an unlikely source. Junior Kaden Kennard, who is a defender for the varsity team, currently has five goals on the season, and recently won WIBW Wendy’s Athlete of the Week. “I hope to win regionals and for us to make it to state,” Kennard said.

VOLLEYBALL “This year things are going good, we are working on team chemistry,” senior Amaya Tillman said. However, the team has been plagued with multiple injuries that have made competitions tough. Tillman, who is committed to Louisville University, is injured and

FOOTBALL

“Our main goal this season is to win the new league,” junior Reid Holthaus said. Holthaus also said that the team works really well together because of their team bonding and

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The team’s record is 8-1, and they are currently undefeated against 5A opponents (their only loss was to Lawrence High School). The next home game is October 9 against Turner High School.

is cheering the team on from the sidelines. The girls next game is on October 4 at Shawnee Heights against St. Thomas Aquinas.

8-1

7-9

chemistry. The team’s record is 3-2. Upcoming games include homecoming against Leavenworth and senior night the following week. UPDATES: Isaiah Wilson & Drew Buchanan

3-2

Introducing

The united kansas Conference

2018-2019 Inagural Year T

he 2018-2019 sports seasons will be the first year of the new United Kansas Conference (UKC). The League has six members all of which, excluding Heights, are in the Kansas City area. This is the first time Shawnee Heights has ever been outside of the Centennial League. The UKC was created with the goal of having a league of all 5A schools to create a more level playing field. As of count week 2018, Leavenworth is the only team not in the 5A category as they are now the smallest 6A school in the state.

The Teams Desoto

Turner

Lansing

Leavenworth

Basehor Linwood

MIDDLE SCHOOL

League changes for high school do not alter middle school competitions

radition is a strong for them, and if that means to play teams in close component of the Shawnee proximity then they should do that.” Heights experience, and Because the teams in the UKC are on average students are adjusting to a 56 minutes away, students would get home later. major change this year with the Since the middle school stayed in the Centennial newly formed United Kansas League, the athletes are able to get back at a Conference league, ending decent time, allowing more time for homework a 52-year long and other extracurricular tradition of being activities. “[It] gives every team a in the Centennial According to the middle chance to play agianst League. Although school athletic director, the other teams their size.” traditions take time games and tournaments to build, some have would be hard for the - COACH NI CKS argued that because student athletes to get to the middle school because of the travel time, still participates in whereas in the Centennial the Centennial League, it’s League, the students are able to leave school later, difficult to build rivals and new missing less academic time. However, some high traditions in the new league. school coaches are concerned about the lack of The UKC consists of all 5A consistency in the decision. schools, (except Leavenworth, DISTRICT OR SCHOOL DECISION? who moved up after count week in September to be the smallest “It was under my assumption that they [Middle 6A school in the state) with the school] were going to change leagues, because goal of bettering competition. from my understanding it was a USD 450 change All of the teams are from the and not a high school change,” Coach Brad Nicks Kansas City metropolitan area said. “I’m not real sure why the middle school did except Shawnee Heights. not change leagues… I think it’s important that they Although the high school do change, that’s something I would like to see in decided to change leagues, the future so we can start building those rivalries as the middle school is staying in seventh graders.” the Centennial League. The middle school has yet to decide to change “I don’t think that the middle to the UKC, although it is uncertain if they will school should do everything change in the future. the high school does, based on As for the middle school, they said they had no the fact that the middle school say in the league change. has their own schedule and “First off, I was not invited to the meeting,” it’s difficult to get kids there middle school athletic director Brad Mickens said. because most middle school “I added up all the miles for bus time [between UKC games are right after school,” and Centennial] and they were pretty much the head soccer coach Mr. Stephen same with a difference of a couple miles so that Loy said. “I think the middle wasn’t the reason.” school should do what’s good However, attendance is another concern for

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Mickens. “Honestly, the level of competition is poor [in the UKC middle], and I would lose a bunch of money because of gate fees. If, say, we didn’t play Washburn or Seaman, I wouldn’t be able to pay the refs,” Mickens said. STORY: Bryce Cook & Hunter Wohler

“ We have to travel all over the place and we see new people we haven’t seen before.” - Zyree White

“If they did switch leagues they would know what to expect when they get to high school.”

-Abbey Fischer

New year, new LEAGUE Heading into the 2018-2019 athletics season, Heights takes on new opponents in the newly formed United Kansas Conference

thletes entered the year with new competitors with the formation of the United Kansas Conference league. The district was previously in the Centennial League along with seven other schools in the city for the past 52 years.

THE BOARD’S VOTE

get hurt. For a few years it may be discouraging but we’ll eventually develop rivalries with the new schools.” Along with cross country, other fall sports experiencing the new league for the first time are boys soccer, girls golf, girls tennis, volleyball, and football. Winter and spring sports will experience this change later in the year.

The school board voted 4-3 last year to switch Shawnee Heights to the NEW CHALLENGES United Kansas Conference “Before we did not have League. With the approval, to play teams twice so now new competition includes it is more difficult to prepare Basehor-Linwood, Desoto, for games because teams Lansing, Leavenworth, and KC can prepare for that and pick Turner. This new league has up on our traits,” head soccer made a large impact on how coach Stephen Loy said. Even students and some coaches feel about SHHS athletic programs overall. “I think the new league

BETTER COMPETITION “I think the new league is actually going to be good for us,” cross country head coach Andy Bassett said. “We competed okay in the other league but there were a lot of sports that it made it at a massive disadvantage when you talk about having extra people for when people

has been really great for us; I think the level of competition we see is consistent to what we had before.” -CODY WH ITNEY

with this disadvantage, boys soccer is 8-1 and doing well competing against the new competition so far. “I think the new league

has been really great for us; I think the level of competition we see is consistent to what we had before,” new athletic director Cody Whitney said. Whitney was previously an administrator at Hayden but accepted the position as AD at SHHS this fall. Although he was not involved in the decision to change leagues, he is in support of the move. “I think that the change in who we play caused us to kind of have to rethink how we practice and prepare for games.” “The new league has promise, there are some very challenging schools that we are excited to meet and overcome,” head coach of girls tennis Riley Propps said. Although all competitors are currently in the Kansas City metro area, the initial goal was to eventually pull a few 5A Topeka-area schools into the UKC. Football coaches are hoping changes in postseason seeding will influence this decision in the coming months. STORY: Maddie Rice & Laurel Padilla

Getting a block from senior Zyree White, junior Davion Gardenhire tries to break off Schlagleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the last defender for an open field. Gardenhire has rushed for 304 yards this season as of print date.

PHOTO: Ryan Good

Senior Cole Unfred looks down field for someone to pass to during the Topeka High game. Heights would go on to win the game 3-1. Unfred scored late in the game, sealing the victory for the T-Birds.

PHOTO: Kaylee Putthoff

Junior Makaila Astle chips the ball onto the green with her wedge from 50 yards. The team won the inaugural UKC girls golf league championship.

PHOTO: Ryan Good

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In her second year playing varsity tennis, sophomore Tatum Brown makes her serve. Along with her doubles partner, Sophomore Shelby Butterfield, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enjoying a great season so far.

PHOTO: Carson Root

Game Attendance Increased travel time for games causes decrease in attendance from students and fans

hen Shawnee Heights opened in 1962, it became an inaugural members of the Centennial League. The school has spent 52 years building rivalries with Topeka area schools. The majority of schools in the Centennial League were in the Topeka metro area, but as of May 1, 2018, the T-Birds have landed in the United Kansas Conference and are playing teams in the Kansas City metro area. The reason for changing leagues was the different numbers of students between schools and what school leaders judged was unfair competition against the larger schools SHHS was competing against. Schools like Manhattan and Washburn Rural were large enough 6A schools that even if they divided into two separate high schools, both would be large enough to be classified as 5A. A solution was sought to even out the numbers to allow Heights to be more successful and competitive both in league and to gain better records to lead to better post-season seeding.

EVENING COMPETITION

“When you have affluence and you have numbers, you have an advantage, plain and simple,″ Superintendent Dr. Marty Stessman said in a Capital Journal interview after addressing how enrollments of some 6A members in the Centennial League would be enough to comprise two 5A schools. The Centennial League was comprised of 5A and 6A

schools. With Shawnee Heights being a 5A school, we were competing against schools with several hundred more students. With Washburn Rural and Manhattan High School claiming a copious amount of league titles, the athletic directors agreed that the best decision was to further balance our athletic competition. “I don’t think I’m on the board to make sure our kids win state championships,″ Board member, Rusty Doty, told the Topeka Capital-Journal in an interview. “I think our mission is to make sure our kids have every chance to be successful.”

LACK OF STUDENT SECTION Our new rivals are mainly from the Kansas City-suburban region. Although Centennial League schools have agreed to incorporate our sports teams in their non-conference scheduled games, the majority of the away games are at the UKC schools that are on average 56 minutes away (calculated using Google Maps during typical travel times around 3-4 p.m.). Because of the distance, students are noticing a large decrease in the number of students in the away-game student sections. “I’m really annoyed because we don’t get to play our rivals,” sophomore Taylor Black said. “We were always really excited to play schools like Washburn Rural and Seaman, and now we don’t even get to do that. Now we play schools that we don’t even care about.” Cheerleaders, whose purpose is to hype up the student-parent sections and get the crowds cheering to show spirit and support for the athletes, are not excited about the decreasing numbers. “It makes us feel worthless, because there’s no one to cheer for. We turn around, and we’re cheering to ourselves. It’s pointless,” varsity cheerleader, Abbey Manzanares said. “When we went to the Turner game, there were literally six total students in our student section. And there were some parents of the athletes. At the next week’s game, there was eight,” varsity cheerleader Madison Rice said. Students believe that the rivalry with the schools in the Centennial league and the familiarity with those schools created a more intense atmosphere at games. However, these rivalries were built over 52 seasons. This drew students to attend and become more engaged in the competition. But the

loss of familiarity with the UKC schools may be impacting the lack of attendance. “[I stopped going to the away games] because they’re not as hype, or fun because we don’t know the people we’re playing against, and they’re not as close,” Freshman Kaleb Wiley said. Underclassmen, or any students who don’t drive are finding it challenging to make their way to these games, “A lot of the underclassmen can’t drive to Kansas City for games, and their parents don’t want to drive an hour and watch them play, just to drive an hour back and those who can drive don’t want to waste gas,” sophomore Gareth Wendt said. “There’s also

FRESH FACES not really any rivalry, nobody is really going head-to head, we don’t know, really, any of the kids there.” From an athlete’s perspective, the new faces, new turf, new competition, and new opportunities may be a positive thing. “It’s honestly good to see new faces, because we’ve been seeing the same people for the past two years that I’ve been here,” junior and varsity football player Ray Mendoza said. The new league is bringing more variety of athletes from our region, so we will surely be seeing plenty of fresh figures from the new mix of students. “We’re playing more

teams that have the same numbers as us, so we’re not playing teams like T-High or Washburn Rural that are going to have a lot more subs, and aren’t going to be as tired as us. It’s more even, so the

LONG DRIVES competition is more fair,” senior and varsity football player Dayvion Canady said. A small amount of student support can affect the energy on the field. “[The small student sections] doesn’t really get us as hyped up, like last year if someone made a good play, the student section would freak out and be hype but this year when someone does, it’s not the same energy, and the whole feel of the games is just off,” sophomore football player Chase Carson said. When the volleyball, soccer, or sub-varsity football teams play on Thursdays, the athletes make long trips to away games on school nights. “When you have to go all the way to Turner,

on a school night, it’s like a really far drive, and when we come home, we also stop for dinner afterwards and that takes more time and by the time we get home late at night we have no time to get homework and other responsibilities in,” sophomore volleyball player Taylor Black said. This league switch was undoubtedly one of the most drastic changes made by the school in decades. The change is something that will take getting used to, by the students, parents, staff, coaches, and athletes. The goal is for attendance to build over time as the rivalries build, but students will have to manage their time well when playing further away on school nights. STORY: Kiana Glenn

68 min.

56 minutes

Lansing

61 min.

Average travel time to UKC schools:

Leavenworth

55 min.

Basehor-Linwood KC Turner

Shawnee Heights

*Times according to Apple Maps on average between 3 and 5 p.m.

P G . 2 3 / U KC / OC TOB ER

43 min.

57 min.

Desoto

OPINION

Stop!t Still Beneficial to Students Despite Immature Reports

ore often than not, when ideas are pushed by any form of administration, students are not receptive. This year, the pawn in this process is the Stop!T app. The Stop!T app was intended to be an anonymous outlet for students to report drug use, sexual harassment, bullying and suicide to administration; however, students have turned it into a parody. Prior to the Stop!T app, officially reporting any inappropriate behavior was a fairly extensive process and was often complained about because of the inconveniences. The Stop!T app not only fixes this process but completely re-imagines it. One could say that the Stop!T app’s main selling factor is the extreme convenience and simplicity. Because it is an app, the process is more direct and responses to reports have been shortened to almost four minutes. This gives a shorter time frame to any reports that need immediate action. This factor is essential to serious issues and assistance in the app’s effectiveness for circumstances that require immediate action. Although the Stop!T app seemed like the best option for our school, students quickly turned it into mockery. Students started referring to the app in a nagging way with friends like a joke. Incidents of students falsely reporting situations to get out of class and reporting nonsense occurs often. So far, almost 200 fake

reports have gone through the Stop!T app and even more came pouring in because of the recent senior parking prank. This has resulted in many people getting blocked off of the app to stop the constant spam. This manipulation of the Stop!T app is showing certain people’s immaturity and blatant disregard to the app’s good nature. Despite the Stop!T app being made fun of by students, it is still legitimate. This is because the few incidents that are being reported have been effectively dealt with and outweigh student scoffing. The app does justice for serious issues like drug use, sexual harassment, bullying and suicide. Even the false claims reported to the app have been thoroughly taken care of, which shows that this new process is effective. In regards to the continuation of using the Stop!T app, the few serious cases are still worth the mimicry and the app’s manipulated reputation by students. Even if the Stop!T app remains a laughing stock within students, it is still viable as a resource for students. With hope, in the future, students will stop taking advantage of this resource and view it as a genuine motion put forth by the administration. STORY: Olivia Talbert

PHOTO: Andrea Lopez

“Let’s Talk About It” Shawnee county schools partner with Family Service and Guidance Center who invites students to talk about suicide prevention

uicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The Family Service and Guidance Center is looking for ways to change that, starting with “Suicide: Talk about it. Save a Life.” This new county-wide initiative is centered around youth suicide prevention. Students from all over Shawnee County gathered for the round table discussion. “We talked about how suicide has increased in teens...and we talked about ways to help socialize and stop social fears,” senior Rylie Oshel said. Oshel was contacted by the counselors at Shawnee Heights and was asked to attend the meeting. Nineteen students from multiple districts participated in the discussion. Other students from the USD 450 community that attended include Olivia Talbert and Patricia Jones. “I do [feel the meeting was productive] because we learned new things. They had group called Link Form, and it’s

about a class where seniors mentor freshman, and help get them involved in school,” Oshel said. There has even been talk of bringing a group similar to that to Shawnee Heights. While nothing is official yet, the students from the meeting have brought the idea up to the administrators at Heights. “We talked about ways to make a social group here at school in the mornings or something so that kids can come together, and they can just talk about how they’re feeling or stressors in their lives,” Oshel said. “I’d like to be a mentor since I went to the program so I kind of know how to lead it.” Aside from a support group, there are many things students can do to help others struggling. Warning signs of suicide include talking about feeling hopeless, behaving recklessly, withdrawing or isolating themselves, and extreme mood swings. If someone you know is displaying these signs, it could be time to take action. Taking action can mean anything from offering counseling and local crisis resources, to just being there for the person, and listening. Understanding the warning signs and issues concerning suicide is a very important way to help prevent it. For additional information and help, you can go to the online site https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or call the 24/7 hotline 1-800-273-8255. STORY: Tia Munoz

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Two middle school students along with high schoolers Olivia Talbert, Patricia Jones, and Rylie Oshel discussed suicide prevention with county officials.

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Care closet

or Biology teacher, Sharon Wilson, finding new ways to get involved with the school is always on her mind. “This year I had a couple extra hours on my schedule and I was a former counselor here and so I asked if during those extra hours I could help out in the counseling department. One of the things they hoped that I could work on was the Care Closet,” Wilson said. The Care Closet is a food and toiletries pantry that the high school opened for families in need. Items are donated to the closet so they can be given out for free and starting on Oct. 20 it will be open from 8-10 a.m. During this time, students can receive things such as non-perishable foods, toiletries, and clothing. It is expected to be open every

Counselors, teachers, and students work together to create food pantry for students in need

Saturday after the opening date. Counselor Laurie Crimmins originally got the idea from her church and has been wanting to start one at Heights for years. However, up until this year, having enough resources to do it was always a struggle. Bryce Liedtke, Annie Harris, Mackenzie Waggoner, and Makenna Orton all contacted Mrs. Wilson to ask about the food pantry, and if there was anything they could do to help. Senior Annie Harris first heard about the food pantry from another teacher, Mrs. Stacie Borjon. From there, she emailed Mrs. Wilson for ideas on how to get involved. “Getting involved with the community more is kind of my main goal for this year. I do a lot of school oriented stuff, I’m always here until like five,” Harris said.

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There are many ways other students at Shawnee Heights can lend a hand. Getting the word out to others always helps, and donations are welcome anytime of day as long as the school is open. Items such as canned tuna, saltine crackers, and toilet paper are just a few of the things on the schools wishlist that someone can bring to help. The closet will also provide snack bags for the library and teachers to give out to hungry students during the day. If students are running low or cannot afford school supplies, the Care Closet might also be able to help. STORY: Tia Muñoz

CUFFING SZN The time of year is almost upon us. The time where singles turn into couples and the friend zone becomes irrelevant. This is the time of “Cuffing Season.” You might be wondering what this is. This season is a time where you are “cuffed” or tied to one another by a serious relationship typically through autumn and winter. “It’s cold weather, you know, you just want to have a boo,” junior Alie Fulks said. Fulks believes the time of year has helped boost her new relationship with junior Tyler Loy. Some people don’t believe in this theory and aren’t on the search for their love. However, people like Fulks, have fallen for the vibe and couldn’t be more convinced. “Movies, the fall, it’s cold, and blankets” Shy Tyler said when asked about

Tyler Loy & Alie Fulks

Q: How long have you been together? A: A month Q: What’s your favorite thing to do together? A: Get food Q: What’s your favorite movie to watch together? A: AnyThing but scary movies Q: How long were you talking before you started dating? A: Still talking

what she thinks about Cuffing Season. These are just some of the things the season offers to all sorts of lovers. Anything from carving pumpkins to just snuggling up and watching a scary movie is something that brings people together. “Real recognize real no matter the season.” Senior Carter Wilch said. Some couples just find each other no matter what the season is. Not all find their way through the chilly ways of the cuffing season side. “I think it really has helped boost our relationship, the time of year and the weather outside has just brought us closer together,” junior Tyler Loy said. Maybe it’s the weather or maybe it’s just something in the air but Cupid’s arrow has struck Shawnee Heights right in the behind.

By Ethan Armbruster & Isaiah Wilson

Bryce Chatonovong & Kayla Castillo

Q: How long have you been together? A: Three years Q: What’s your favorite thing to do together? a: Movies or Sporting KC games Q: What’s your favorite movie to watch together? A: Deadpool Q: How long were you talking before dating? A: A month

A Day in the Life of a SH Couple

A little less than a month ago, __________(person) met_________ (person). The first thing they did was go on a date to _______(place). They were always _________(verb ending in -ing) together in the hallway so everyone knew they liked each other. When they’re around each other, they are always so _______(adjective), it is magical. They are the cutest couple in the _________ (grade) class. They started doing more and more things together such as _______(activity) and visiting ______ (place). One day _______ (person) pulled out a small ________ (object) and proposed on top of ______ (place). _______ (person) never felt so________ (adjective) in their life. _____ (person) told their mom, but she _______ (verb ending in -ed) away in disbelief. _______ (person) didn’t understand… they thought their mom liked _______ (person). Their mom must be _______(feeling) because they are only in high school. Maybe they should have _________ (verb ending in -ed) a little longer. Love can be so _______(adjective) sometimes. _________ (per-

son) didn’t care though because they loved _______. (person) Nothing can stop them now.

Noah Nolan & Megan Bond

Q: How long have you been together? A: Two months Q: What’s your favorite thing to do together? A: Chick-Fil-A and movies Q: What’s your favorite movie OR SHOW to watch together? A: American Horror Story Q: How long were you talking before dating? A: Five Months

Bella Owens & Cole Unfred

Q: How long have you been together? A: Three Years Q: What’s your favorite thing to do together? A: movies and eat Taco Villa Q: What’s your favorite movie to watch together? A: Simple Favor Q: How long were you talking before dating? A: A year

Disney Madness The magic of Disney - whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your all-time Disney favorite? Fill out this bracket to narrow down your selections and choose the ultimate champion of Best Disney Movie of All Time. *All images copyright of Disney

Beauty and the Beast

Finding Nemo

The Fox and the Hound

Frozen

High School Musical

The Incredibles

The Lady and the Tramp

Let It Shine

Lilo & Stitch

Champion The Lion King

The Little Mermaid

Moana

Monsters Inc

Mulan

Goofy Movie

Toy Story

P G . 3 1 / E NTERTAINMENT / OCTOBER

IN THE

BEST SCHOOL