Volume 4, Issue 4 May 6, 2022
The
ROCKET PRESS Your School. Your Magazine.
JOB WELL DONE Page 8 - Hilgers to retire after 33 years Page 10 - Koester looks ahead to retirement Also inside: -Welch to take over boys basketball (Pg 5) -Editor-in-chief Sydney LaKous with an emotional goodbye (Pg 12)
CONTENTS NEWS COVER
PAGE 4 - BARTON TO REPLACE HILGERS
PAGE 8 - HILGERS CLOSES IN ON RETIREMENT
PAGE 4 - NOLAN RETURNS TO RHHS PAGE 10 - KOESTER CALLS IT QUITS AFTER 20 YEARS PAGE 5 - ALYSON HIRED TO TEACH MATH PAGE 6 - WELCH TAKES OVER BOYS BASKETBALL PAGE 7 - HIGH SCHOOL HIRES NEW SCIENCE TEACHER
Randall Alyson will take over for Ashley Brooks.
2 - CONTENTS
Ward Hilgers works with Trevor Wayman in ceramics class.
YOUR SCHOOL. YOUR MAGAZINE.
OPINION PHOTOS
PAGE 12 - HERE’S TO THE LAST FOUR YEARS
PAGE 14 - ROCKET LIFE
PAGE 13 - GRATEFUL FOR MY ONE YEAR Prom candidates 2022
STAFF
The Rocket Press is the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF official news magazine SYDNEY LAKOUS of Rose Hill High School REPORTERS that is published four BEN WALKER to six times a year. The JESSA LEE Rocket Press is a student SAM LARSON KIRSTEN SMITH publication, written and ETHAN POTTER produced by students. Opinions expressed in SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS The Rocket Press are of the writers and do not LINDSEY ESSLINGER necessarily reflect the HAYDEN SWOPE opinions of the USD 394 COVER DESIGN Board of Education, the SAM LARSON administration, the faculty or the adviser.
CONTENTS - 3
Rose Hill grad to replace Hilgers by lindsey esslinger, special contributor
Levi Barton is joining the Rose Hill High School Staff as the new art teacher, replacing longtime art teacher Ward Hilgers. Barton is a graduate of Rose Hill and was one of Hilgers’ students. Barton has been teaching art at Andover Middle School for two years now, and is ready for the next step. “It is where I caught my creative bug and I think it’s fitting for me to take the torch and run with it,” said Barton. With the change of grade levels, Barton is excited to work with more advanced students and can’t wait for all the opportunities that it gives. “I hope to build positive long lasting relationships with my students and hope to create an atmosphere that creates
highly skilled, creative, and self driven artists,” said Barton. Barton hopes to get his students to a point where they can express themselves through their art. “I believe this will ultimately strengthen their creative behaviors, problem solving, and their independent thinking skills,” said Barton. When choosing a new art teacher, principal Shannon Haydock looked to Hilgers for recommendations, and Hilgers highly recommended Barton for the job. When Barton was a student of Hilgers, he primarily painted. “He could do almost anything, everything I taught him, he could do,” said Hilgers.
Nolan returns to RHHS by sydney lakous, editor-in-chief
Ross Nolan, a RHHS graduate, will be taking over the social studies position at the high school next year. Nolan attended Rose Hill from 5th grade until his graduation in 2016. He then attended Pittsburg State University from 2016-2021 with a bachelors of Science in History and Government Education. Part of what Nolan enjoyed most about Rose Hill was the community and atmosphere.
4 - NEWS
“I believe that Rose Hill as a school and community supports a bigger picture of developing young adults, and when you have such a loyal and involved community, what isn’t there to love,” said Nolan. After graduating years ago, Nolan is excited to return to RHHS. “Rose Hill always has and will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Nolan. “I cannot wait to leave my mark on the (continued on page 7)
Alyson hired to teach math by sam larson, staff reporter
A few weeks ago, Rose Hill High School lost one of its few math teachers, Ashley Brooks. She left during the second half of the school year because she was offered a job outside of education. Since she has switched careers, Rose Hill High School is having a student teacher, Seth Boxberger, teach her class for the rest of the semester. Boxberger, however, cannot stay for the duration of the next school year. Instead, Randall Alyson from Oklahoma is coming up to take over the position. Alyson has been hired to be one of the newest additions of teachers that are joining the high school next year. Alyson was previously working at a central technology school in Oklahoma. Alyson was a central tech school AP calculus teacher, Pre-Calculus, and Algebra II teacher. “I like the community and how close knit and smaller it is,” Alyson said. “I have taught in larger schools before, and it's nice to have smaller class sizes.” Alyson also said he chose Rose Hill not just for its schools, but for the town as a whole. Alyson likes the smaller and local community and sees Rose Hill as a safe place to raise his family, which is why he is bringing his own with him.
“I like the community and how close knit and smaller it is,” -Randall Alyson
NEWS - 5
Welch takes over boys basketball by hayden swope, special contributor
The boys basketball program is getting a change at the top next season, with former assistant coach Greg Welch stepping into the head coach position. Welch was the girls head coach for five years, going 68-40 with two league titles and four three sub-state finals appearances. The past two seasons, Welch has been head coach Josh Shirley’s top assistant. “I think it’ll be an easy transition
going back to being the head coach of a basketball team,” Welch said. “It’ll be my fourteenth year coaching total, I’ve already spent nine years as a head coach and so it’s not going to be something I haven’t done in the past or something I don’t have experience with so I think it’ll be a smooth transition.” With not many returning varsity starters, Welch has his work cut out for him this offseason. When asked what changes would be made for next year, Welch said the program still has some things to figure out. “We have to go through summer camp and summer league and see what kind of kids we have and how they play together and how the pieces fit,” Welch said. “We don’t have a lot of returning varsity minutes, junior Kellan Simoneau is one of the main ones coming back. We had a lot of kids who had some success at the JV level, and I can kinda see all those pieces fit together.” Welch said he is excited to get to coach the returning and new players entering the program. “I’m excited to have our returning players, like I said it’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to lead the program and I think we have the opportunity to have some success,” Welch said. “Like I said we were successful at the JV level, the varsity level and we want to mesh those two classes and groups together and we can find a few things that work for us to be successful.”
6 - NEWS
High School hires new science teacher by jessa lee, staff reporter
Next school year, Chase Owen will be filling the spot for the new physics teacher at RHHS. Currently, he is a student teacher at Wichita State and also works in the Programs and Education department at Sedgwick County Zoo. Owen has worked with students before, but this job will be his first teaching position.
elementary schools, and that was my first real experience working with children and actually working with education and doing all that type of stuff. So not my first time around, but exciting nonetheless.” Although Owen now has an internship with WSU for education, and is working to educate people about animals at the zoo, a career in education is not what he originally had in mind.
“In high school I really wanted to be an “I worked at a scout camp in Osceola, engineer,” Owen said. “I wanted to do Missouri, summer camp for four or five stuff with acoustics and sound and build summers,” said Owen. “So I taught merit opera houses, all that cool stuff. But then I badges and all that good stuff, and in realized that that’s way out of my abilities. my junior year of high school we did a I realized that the thing that I was really program in our science department where passionate about was the science aspect of the first semester we learned a whole it, like physics and math and all that good bunch of facts about animals and all that stuff. So when I had that class my junior good stuff, how to take care of them. year, then I kind of realized that I think And then, second semester we actually my calling is education.” brought in multiple middle schools and
Nolan (from page 4)
teaching side of things and hopefully help a lot of young individuals along the way.
Nolan is looking forward to working alongside some teachers he had while he attended high school.
As a teacher, Nolan says his goal is to leave the school and community better than he found it.
“I am super excited to work with some of my former teachers,” said Nolan. “I believe the most positive aspect of returning to Rose Hill is already knowing some of the teachers that I will get to work with. It is exciting to be on the other side of the desk and working along with them and sharing the respect and passion they have for this job. With that said I can’t wait to join such an amazing staff and start my time back up as a Rocket.”
“It may be cliche, but there are a lot of factors that come with the saying,” said Nolan. “Everything that I do will be attempted with 100 percent energy and effort. I would love to get re-involved with the community as soon as possible for a smooth transition back.”
NEWS - 7
Hilgers closes in on retirement
Longtime art teacher to retire after 33 years
by ben walker, staff reporter
Ward Hilgers has been teaching art at Rose Hill High School for the past 33 years, but this will be his last before he retires
the students,” Hilgers said. “Creating an atmosphere that is exciting and it’s, I don’t know, an atmosphere where just doing good isn’t good enough,”
Hilgers started working at Rose Hill High School in 1989. He has taught a variety of classes including drawing and painting, ceramics, and advanced classes of both of those.
Hilgers has been a favorite teacher among students for many years because he has helped people discover they were good at drawing, painting, or ceramics.
“I want to finish my studio before school gets out, but I don’t know if we’re gonna make it,” Hilgers said when asked about what he will do in retirement. “I’ll just get all my art stuff in my studio and then just make art in there. And then exercise a lot.” The method in which Hilgers teaches is probably different than most art teachers, but students like being able to see him demonstrate how to do something such as a painting style or how to shade. When asked about his fondest memory of working at Rose Hill Hilgers said allowing students to be creative stood out. “That’s a toss up between the creativity part of it and just the relationships with
8 - COVER
“We’re really losing a dynamic teacher in Mr. Hilgers and he will be sorely missed,” said Shannon Haydock, the school principal. “Students enjoy his classes, his classes are full, he’s consistent in his deliveries, consistent in his demeanor.” Haydock also said Hilgers was also willing to help with other things in the school. “He’s always helping with the plays, he’s helping with the drama department whether it’s set design or set construction and he works closely with Mr. Hill in the set design piece and just does a lot of things for the school in that regard,” Haydock said.
“We’re really losing a dynamic teacher in Mr. Hilgers and he will be sorely missed. Students enjoy his classes, his classes are full, he’s consistent in his deliveries, consistent in his demeanor.” -Shannon Haydock
COVER - 9
Koester calls it quits after 20 years High School nurse announces retirement by jessa lee, staff reporter
Teri Koester, the school nurse, is one of two staff members retiring. Koester has been a nurse at Rose Hill High School for 20 years and not only that, but she is also the sponsor of KAY Club. “I have been a KAY sponsor for 13 years, and I became a KAY sponsor because I used to be the SADD sponsor, which was Students Against Destructive Decisions,” Koester said. “And the year I gave that up it was the year that I started KAY club because they told me ‘Gosh Teri, you might want to think about sponsoring something else.’” When asked what her favorite part of being the KAYS sponsor was, Koester said she likes seeing the students' growth throughout high school. “Working with the students and seeing how they grow from the time they come in as of beginning and how they mature, and what they’ve ended up doing after high school,” Koester said. With COVID coming through the school last year, Koester’s regular routine was changed.
10 - COVER
“It was harder for sure, it made things more difficult,” Koester said. “We learned, you know we had to change things that we did, but we grew from it. So I’m glad that it’s sort of over, I don’t think that it's completely over, but for the most part we’re in good shape.” Koester has a few plans for her time after retirement. “Travel, number one, and garden,” Koester said. “I love to garden, I like to can and I haven’t been able to do that. Usually when the time the garden starts coming to freshen it’s August and we’re back at school.” Koester will miss the special things that come with working at a high school. “The students, my coworkers, traditions,” Koester said. “You know you get four years of homecoming and bonfires and prom, snoball, and I’ve had 20 years. So that’s gonna be the hardest.”
“Working with the students and seeing how they grow from the time they come in as of beginning and how they mature, and what they’ve ended up doing after high school.” -Teri Koester, on what she will miss
Grateful for my one year
An editorial from staff reporter Ben Walker My junior year, when I decided to sign up for newspaper for my senior year, I did not Since being in newspaper, I have also yet realize what a good decision it would gotten a bit better at interviewing and end up being. talking to people. I had taken 21st Century Journalism and towards the end of the semester and Mr. Browning had asked me if I would be interested in joining the newspaper staff the next year. Before that, I had not really had any interest in doing so, but then I started to consider it.
I have had to interview a few people to have quotes in a story and I think it has become easier for me to ask them questions even if it was the first time I have talked to them. I also like when I get to just email the person I need to interview, so then I do not have to record and then type out a conversation that I had with them.
I knew that one of my friends was in that class and I liked the teacher, but I was also Usually there are about four issues of the concerned about having a lot of stories to paper that come out every school year. write and I did not really think I was very good at writing. This means that after a new issue comes out and we get new story assignments, we Eventually, I decided to enroll for it and I have a few weeks to be able to get them am happy that I did. done. There was not an overwhelming amount of assignments to do and my stories get edited before getting seen by anyone, so there was not very much that I had to worry about. I learned a lot about how to write news stories when I took 21st Century Journalism and I do not think that I would be able to be decent at writing stories if I had not taken that class. There are many things to keep in mind when writing that I took notes on during that class.
12 - OPINION
I am a little sad that I was not able to take newspaper all four years of high school, but I am grateful that I decided to do it at all. I have enjoyed my time in this class and getting to learn more about how to write news stories.
Here’s to the last four years An editorial from editor-in-chief Sydney LaKous I joined Rocket Productions my freshman year when I signed up for a class called “Digital Media Design”. I then found out it was The Rocket Press. I didn’t really know what that was and if I’d enjoy it, but I was reassured by the counselor that I could change it within the first few days of the year if I didn’t like it. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I had transferred out of that class. But I stayed for four years. And I’m glad I did. I quickly started to realize that I really did enjoy writing. I had been told in middle school by a few teachers that I was a good writer and should pursue it, but I never really thought much of it. I was involved in other things like sports, specifically volleyball, that took up a lot of my time.
as a senior and Editor-in-Chief. I also never would’ve imagined the importance that Mr. Browning would have in my life. My relationship with my father has always been complicated and back and forth. But with Mr. Browning, his care for me as a student has always been constant. He’s offered me advice, whether I wanted to hear it or not. I’ve laughed with him, cried to him, been mad at him, etc. Even through all of those emotions, he’s always been there for me like a father figure should. I will forever be grateful to him for showing me that there are so many people who care about me and would help me with anything I asked for.
So as much as being in his classes have taught me about technical things like writing a correct story in correct formatting, writing I figured even though it was something I was script for a show, interviewing people good at, if I didn’t have a passion for it, then I professionally, or producing a video story wasn’t really interested in going any further accurately, the most important thing he has with it than just writing papers for classes. taught me is that there are people in this world I can depend on, and it doesn’t matter if My sophomore year, after getting closer with they’re my biological family or some random Mr. Browning and students in news magazine, teacher at my high school who simply cares I was urged to join Video Production, the about his students. Channel 7 News class. All I have left to say is thank you. Thank you, There were many seniors that year that were Mr. Browning, for helping shape me into the so good at what they did, I felt like I couldn’t person I am today. Thank you for the life get up to that level, leading me to drop the lessons, the jokes, the seriousness, the advice, class the following year. After my junior and everything in between. Thank you Rocket year, I decided to return to Channel 7, being Productions. Here’s to the last four years. affirmed that my abilities were enough and that I would add to the staff. When I was a freshman, I had no clue the opportunities this class would bring to me. I didn’t know if I would stay, but now I’m writing my last story for the Rocket Press
13 - OPINION
ROCKET Carter Wagner and Mia Kuehn were crowned the 2022 Prom King and Queen.
The Rocket golf team won the Circle Invitational by 19 shots.
RHHS’s Green Club spent the day at the Sedgwick County Zoo.
LIFE Senior Chance Hanning getting ready to throw the shot put.
Senior Sydney LaKous donated blood at the spring blood drive.
The Rocket drama department performed Wait Until Dark.
