Volume 41, issue 1, october 2016

The

T-Bird Times

Skyline High School • Volume 41 • Issue 1 • October 21, 2016 • Seniors Matthew Giles and Mason Brack are recognized as homecoming king and Queen at the football game against Macksville. Sean Tyler and Kennadie Haskett were the first frade participants. courtesy photo

Page 2 • Editorial • The T-Bird Times • October 21, 2016

Parking causes dispute K.Reporters Stark & J. Shriver Since 2014, the Pep Club has allowed high school students and teachers to buy parking spots to help pay for the upcoming year’s homecoming supplies.

At the first Pep Club meeting sponsors Kathryn McAllister and Darci Poland had a map of the parking spots around the school. The students were then able to choose the spot they wanted. The spots ranged from $15 to $25 depending on their proximity to the school entrances.

“We just used the prices already established from the previous year,” McAllister said.

Although the parking spots were a huge fundraiser for the Pep Club, there was still some dispute amongst some of the students about the high prices.

Some students thought that the prices were a little extreme because of the amount of money that was accumulated by all the

faculty and students.

“I think the parking spots are a bit over priced because we are poor high school students,” sophomore Kayla Flora said. “I think the prices should be more around $10 or less.”

On the other hand, there were some students who agree with the prices of the parking spots. Many understand that this was the only fundraiser the club did for their homecoming events, and appreciate that they got to personalize their own parking spot.

“I think it’s a good price, because for one, that’s their only fundraiser, and secondly, if you want a good parking spot you have to pay good money for it,” senior Sheldon Miller said.

Along with the high prices of the parking spots, students also have not been following the parking policy of not parking their vehicle in a spot that was not their own. While having the stress of paying $25 for a spot in the high school parking

Girls’ Locker Room

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Boys’ Locker Room

lot, they also have the stress of wondering if someone is going to park in their spot. Furthermore, the penalty for parking in someone’s spot is not strict enough yet. Not only that, the owner doesn’t receive any profit.

“I think it is ridiculous to pay $25 for a parking spot that you can not even use half the time when someone parks in it,” senior Caden Patterson said.

Lastly, $15 to $25 is a small price to pay for all the benefits that come out of having a homecoming because some schools aren’t as fortunate as Skyline is.

It’s good to see how homecoming brings out school spirit.

“The prices are worth it to me because of guaranteed parking for a whole year,” senior Jarod DeWeese said.

With nearly 70 kids in the Pep Club, the parking spot fundraiser has many benefits, but also a few downfalls. The money from the parking spot fundraiser was one of the biggest contributions to Homecoming.

Copy Editor .............. Justin Hampel Design Editor .............. Mason Brack Staff Reporters..........Hallee Burgardt Ana Lopez-Gil Raul Ramirez Jared Shriver Charly Spitzner Kamryn Stark Andrew Withers

Photographers............Nikolai Andrews Michal Cimerman Sherley Chavez Hayley Roberts Heidi Roberts Charly Spitzner Kayla Urban Jon Wiltshire Adviser.....................Judy Hampel

The T-Bird Times is an open forum for student expression. The mission of the T-Bird Times editorial page is to engage all students and patrons in a search for democratic solutions.

The T-Bird Times’ editorial voice, expressed in the form of editorials, columns and articles, is a part of that search, but only one part.

The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of other students, the adviser, faculty, administrators or the Board of Education of this district.

The T-Bird Times, a member of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association, is published by the 21st Century Journalism class at Skyline High School, 20269 W. Hwy. 54, Pratt, Kan., 67124. The T-Bird Times is printed in-house and distributed to high school students and staff. The pages can also be found online at www. tbirdtimes.com.

The T-Bird Times will strive to live up to the highest standards of professional journalism. The T-Bird Times endorses the First Amendment of the Constitution and will not publish material that could cause disorderly conduct or invade the rights of others. Any material that is not original will be given full credit, and The T-Bird Times will acknowledge any mistakes by correcting any errors that are brought to the attention of the staff.

The staff welcomes letters to the editor from patrons and students.

Letters to the editor must be signed and the staff reserves the right to edit letters for libel and grammar.

October 21, 2016 • The T-Bird Times • News • Page 3

Pep Club brings in new changes AReporter na Lopez-Gil The Pep Club started making changes in the club and came up with new ideas to make it more fun.

New sponsor, Darci Poland, said that for her, the goal of Pep Club was to bring school spirit and to support the athletes.

“I just wanted to bring new ideas for the club,” Poland said.

According to Poland, the sponsors decided to make new changes to the club just to get new ideas and to do things differently from the years before.

Poland also said the kids would be decorating the gym and she thought they would enjoy it and have a lot of fun.

She also said that she decided to be sponsor because she wanted to help to give new ideas.

Co-sponsor Kathryn McAllister said that for her, the goal of Pep Club was to spread school spirit, support other Skyline activities and provide the students opportunities to be involved in school activities.

She said that they decided to make changes in the club because she wanted students to be a bigger part of the decision-making, planning and organization of the club.

They brought back officers for Pep Club to make the students take on leadership roles.

“I enjoy seeing the kids having fun,” McAllister said.

The theme for homecoming was “Go for the Gold.” They wanted to provide a friendly competition between the high school classes and give all students the chance to participate in showing their school spirit

with dress up days, class contests, team skits and assembly decorations.

She also said that she decided to be sponsor of Pep Club because she and Poland enjoy being with the kids and they think that it is a good opportunity to get the students excited about supporting each other through the club.

Junior Sydney Koirth is one of the officers and she said she wanted to be officer because it looks good for college and because it is fun.

“I have a lot of fun in the club and I like to contribute giving new ideas,” Koirth said.

The thing she likes most about Pep Club is that she can be creative. She also said that she likes the club because she gets to interact with the students and she gets a lot of energy.

Pep Club

Sydney Koirth Vice President “I like the change of having officers this year. I think it has helped speed the process up.”

K-State brings Fine Arts day to Skyline CReporter harly Spitzner On September 30 Skyline had for the first time a special day called Fine Arts Day. On that day, the musical art group from K-State came to work with Skyline High School students. They did lots of things with music to bring all the kids together.

“We can learn a lot from music,” Student Success Coordinator Diane House said.

At first they introduced themselves in very musical ways.

They invited the students to do the same and a new musical atmosphere filled the little gym.

“It was a great opportunity to do something different and for our kids to be exposed to what goes on in K-State,” House said.

One of the points in their program was that the high school students had to write two verses about Skyline and Kansas

with the rhythm from the song “We Will Rock You.” “Music can bring people together if they want to learn about music, but if they don’t want to, it will push them away,” sophomore Courtney Reece said.

It was a new experience for all students and at the end of the day the high school students presented the new school song to the elementary school. The elementary school supported the high school students by singing the new lyrics to “We Are Skyline.”

“It was definitely interesting,” sophomore Kayla Flora said.

House hopes that K-State wants to come back next year because the day was a great way for everyone in the high school to learn together having fun and using music.

“It’s a good opportunity,”

Freshman Brock Montgomery and a leader from Kansas State University play an instrument during the Fine Arts Day. This was the first time Skyline held this event for the high school students. All high school students got purple and black sunglasses as a memory. photo by Jon Wiltshire

House said. “Not every school can do it with all kids together,

and we have the place, so why wouldn’t we do it next year.”

Page 4 • Feature • October 21, 2016

Seniors Raul Rios and Jarod DeWeese emcee at the homecoming assembly. The theme was “Go For The Gold” Olympics.

Senior king Matthew Giles, crowns his senior queen Mason Brack. The voting was done by an electronic survey instead of on paper.

Attendants Freshmen Ryan Adams and Kailey Hamm Sophomores Colby Shriver and Courtney Reece Juniors Raul Ramirez and Charly Spitzner Senior Candidates Matthew Giles and Brynn McKennon Caden Patterson and Kamryn Stark Justin Hampel and Mason Brack

October 21, 2016 • Homecoming • Page 5 The volleyball team performs a synchronized swimming skit. It involved the girls using a blue tarp and goggles.

homore Abby Ailstock cheers ngside the cheer clinic particnts. The girls also performed he football game that night inst Macksville.

Choir goes above and beyond and adds a song into their skit which involved the thunderbird mascot and many others.

The song was sang by junior Jade Downs and titled “Blue Lightning.”

Sophomores Kayley Cook and Kami McComb take part in a class competition called “Cheeto Head.” The games took place Monday through Thursday during seminar.

Getting a laugh out of his boys, head coach Steven Novotny speaks at the assembly. This was his first year as head coach. The boys fell short to the Mustangs.

Page 6 • Sports • The T-Bird Times • October 21, 2016

Volleyball struggles with youth AReporter ndrew Withers The loss of five seniors hurt the Skyline volleyball team and losing so many varsity players caused a massive change in rotations.

“The young girls do a really good job at keeping a positive attitude and working very hard every day in practice and games to help the team move forward,” junior Brittaney Smith said.

The Lady Thunderbirds started the season off at a pre-season quad at South Barber and came out with one win against Stafford.

Other wins came on Senior night at home against Attica and at the Central Christian tri against Burrton. Going into their league tournament their record was 3-20.

The team had many individual and team goals.

“Our goals for this year were to win, work together, become good teammates, and reach our individual and overall team goals that we set at the beginning of the season,” head coach Kathryn McAllister said.

Despite a hard fought effort, the Lady Thunderbirds went 0-4 at the league tournament that was held at Attica. When facing Stafford it was a close loss, going to three sets.

Following the league tournament was a trip to Macksville.

The team lost against Pretty Prairie but took Macksville into three competitive sets, eventually ending with a hard fought loss.

The team was hurt by the fact that they graduated varsity players and is relatively young and inexperienced.

“I think that the team improved throughout the year

and gained knowledge that will help next season,” junior Sydney Koirth said.

Sub-State will be hosted by

St. John this weekend. The Lady Thunderbirds will start off facing the one-seeded Central Plains Oilers at 1 p.m.

Senior Kamryn Stark, junior Sydney Koirth and senior Mason Brack celebrate after earning a point at the league tournament at Attica. The Lady T-Birds lost all four of their games, although they battled Stafford for three hard fought sets. courtesy photo

Football team starts season winless MDesign ason Brack Editor

Despite returning all but one starter, the football team has gone winless in the first seven weeks of the season.

The team has spent a lot of time on their fundamentals and teamwork in practice to prepare for each game. The boys have watched film to watch the teams and what they have done in the previous games.

“Film study is an important tool in our preparation,” first year head coach Steven Novotny said. “The majority of our practice time is spent on our game plan and fundamentals.”

Even though the team has not been able to come out with a win, they have had their moments of putting all their skills together.

“We played our best game

against Attica/Argonia because we really shut down their passing game and our defense played very well in the second half,” Lee said. “We really moved the ball down the field well on offense and if we would have played like that the entire year and got rid of some of the stupid penalties, we might be in much better of a position going into the last few games of District.”

Although the boys’ season is coming to an end they still look to improve in every aspect of their game.

“I think we could improve by just working better as a team and just giving it our all on every play,” junior Carson Lee said. “Also, switching our game plan to working on our pass defense.”

The team has two more Dis-

trict games left in their season and hope to end the season with a win. The team kicks off Senior Night against 1-6 Fairfield at 7

p.m. tonight. Their final game will take place on Thursday against District opponent Kiowa County.

Senior Rance Tucker pushes the ball forward against the Pretty Prairie Bulldogs. The Thunderbirds lost their third game of the year 72-34 at Webster Field. photo by Charly Spitzner

October 21, 2016 • The T-Bird Times • Sports • Page 7

Cross Country wins HOPL league • Dominating team performances bring higher expectations with State fastly approaching

JCopy ustin Hampel Editor Both cross country teams have been enjoying an extremely successful season so far, with Regionals and State still yet to come.

Last Thursday, the boys’ and girls’ teams both won League at the HOPL meet at Burrton.

It was the boys’ fourth straight League title and the girls’ second straight. Three boys

Head coach Lynette Freeman and one girl placed in the top said that every single runner five at League. Sophomore Erik has achieved a new PR, even the Ghumm, senior Jared Shriver ones who haven’t been able to and junior Tyler Tobin placed second, third and fourth in that in recent years.

With the talent level being so order and junior Madison Tyler high, the team placed fourth.

•Lynette Freeman has participated “I was very In my opinion, this is in meets with proud of the the first year where I much larger way we ran at can’t think of a single schools to League,” Tyler low moment. We have a challenge themsaid. “Most of remarkable group of kids this year. They have all selves. the girls broke shown leadership within “Getting the their personal the team. Grades are opportunity records, and I good, attitudes are good, to see bigger think that many performance is great. schools at meets of the girls are has helped our varsity team shooting to make it all the way to State.” tremendously,” Freeman said.

“Our boys team is very strong Breaking personal records is this year, the best in all of the nothing new for the runners.

SPORTS Q&A’s

five seasons I’ve coached so far, but I can’t take credit for that.

They have pushed so hard this year and have been pushed by the bigger schools. They have come a long way and continue to astonish us.”

With the accomplishments achieved so far, a good showing at Regionals and State are still on the radar for the rest of this season.

“I really hope we will go to State,” senior Garrett Bell said.

“Our top five boy runners are all under 19 minutes, so I think we have a very good chance of making it.”

Regionals are this Saturday at Meade with the girls’ race at 11 a.m. and boys’ at 11:40 a.m.

ll Fa

Football

Volleyball

Cross Country

Brayton Fletcher

Kami McComb

Tyler Tobin

How would you say the year has gone so far?

We play good sometimes but it doesn’t show all the time and that’s when we struggle.

How would you say the year has gone so far?

I think that the season could have gone better. We just didn’t all work together as much as we should have.

How would you say the year has gone so far?

So far it’s been good. I’ve been improving almost every race and still have room to push myself.

Have you or are you on pace to finish your goals?

I think I have met some of my goals for this season. I wanted to improve my court awareness and I think mine has improved. I have improved on what to do with the ball.

Have you or are you on pace to finish your goals?

My main goal was to improve every meet and I’ve done that so far?

What has been the team’s biggest strength this year?

We have never given up even when it has been really hard not too.

What are you going to miss most about football?

The Friday nights and hanging out with all the guys.

Which teammates push you the most?

All of my teammates push me hard, especially the other seniors.

Have you or are you on pace to finish your goals?

No, because we were expecting to win some games by this point.

What’s your favorite part of volleyball season?

My favorite part of the season has been getting to work with the upperclassmen and getting pushed to the best of my ability.

What teammate pushes you the most?

Sydney Koirth has pushed me to the best of my abilities. When I have a bad attitude she fixes that and helps me get up.

What was your favorite meet so far this year?

The league meet at Burrton because I beat my PR by 1:30, bringing it down to 17:39.

How does cross country get you ready for other sports?

It improves my endurance and leg strength.

What’s your favorite part of cross country season?

Getting in shape for basketball and being with my team.

Page 8 • News • The T-Bird Times • October 21, 2016

School changes early dismissal RReporter aul Ramirez

Skyline has had early dismissal days for a while. For the 20162017 school year, early dismissals have been changed to Fridays once a month. The first Friday of every month students are released at 11:30 a.m.

“I have the chance to get homework done and hang out with the football team,” junior Carson Lee said.

He likes to get a break from school and be able to get some rest on the early out days.

Lee is not the only student who likes having early dismissals. Sophomore Trayton Audiss goes straight to Arby’s after school, but also spends the rest of his day working.

“I’d rather stay home on Friday, because it’s a waste of gas,’’ Audiss said.

Although students do not have lunch on early dismissal Fridays, some students tend to

FOREIGN FACES

Pep Club members open up their creativity while painting the parking spots on one of the early dismissal Fridays. Senior Montana Kocher and freshman Kayla Urban repainted Karen Kumberg’s spot after they had spelled her name wrong. photo by Charly Spitzner

eat at Arby’s or other fast food restaurants, just like Audiss.

“I like it because I don’t have to be in school for eight hours,” senior Ricky Whitfield said.

Students may get out early, but teachers and staff do not get to leave early on those Fridays. Teachers gather to bring ideas and thoughts about their curriculum together to improve

student learning.

“I like it because it gives us time to work with other teachers,” agriculture teacher Michelle Keener said.

Besides working on curriculum, teachers work together to analyze testing data for all their students. Everything they do must lead back to student improvement.

Three exchange students, four teachers start new year AReporter ndrew Withers With a new school year comes many changes. A few of these changes were the the arrival of new students and new teachers.

There were three foreign exchange students who came to America in August and started classes in September. Junior Ana Lopez-Gil came from Spain and is living with the Kovach family, along with fellow exchange senior Michal Cimerman, who came from Slovokia. Junior Charlotte Spitzner came from Germany and is living with the Swonger family.

“It is very different here in the United States, but I have enjoyed it so far and I like Skyline

because everyone is friendly,” Lopez-Gil said.

There were also changes to four of the teaching positions.

Pam Lucas was hired to take over the science classes. Lucas had previous science experience, due to the fact that she was involved in the science program in Oklahoma at Tulsa Community College.

“I am from the Pratt area and wanted to move home and be closer to my parents, and also wanted to get into teaching,” Lucas said.

Cheri Haskett replaced the duties for recently retired FACS teacher Pat Brant.

“I like having Mrs. Haskett as a teacher because she puts her

students first and has a good sense of humor,” senior Trent Adams said.

After the departure of former shop teacher Sebastian Huelskamp, the school decided to eliminate the shop classes, and a new agriculture program was added to replace it. Michelle Keener was hired to teach the ag classes.

Another addition to the staff was Chris Sanders, who is the new teacher of World Geography and World Issues. Although new to teaching, Sanders is no stranger to the Skyline environment. He was the assistant coach of the girls’ basketball team last year and also graduated from Skyline in 2008.

Michal Cimerman Zvolen, Slovakia “The people in America are really nice.”

Ana Lopez-Gil A Coruña, Spain “I like everything about America, its special.”

Charly Spitzner Rostock, Germany “I found the people in America are so nice and I love my host family.”