October 2022

ROCKET

End of an Era

Elliot Herod runs at the Goddard Invitational on Sep 22. The girls cross country team won the meet. Photo by rocketathletics.com

The Rocket Press is the official news magazine of Rose Hill High School that is published four to six times a year. The Rocket Press is a student publication, written and produced by students. Opinions expressed in The Rocket Press are of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USD 394 Board of Education, the administration, the faculty or the adviser.

Enrollment, diversity increasing at high school

by angelica binion, reporter

The enrollment at Rose Hill High School has been diverse in recent years. The change has also led towards a difference in diversity at the high school.

Last year there were 468 students at the high school, and this year there are 490 students in the building. One reason for the increase in enrollment is due to the freshmen and sophomore classes. The upcoming freshman and sophomore classes are larger than this year’s junior and senior classes.

However, enrollment for each individual class has not changed too much. The senior class currently has 104 students this year, versus last year when they had 105 students. One of the biggest benefits of increased enrollment is more funding for the district.

Assistant Principal Aaron Jackson believes that the enrollment will increase again next year.

“Our enrollment at the high should increase again next year,” Jackson said. “Our senior class is smaller than the incoming freshmen class next year. After that the enrollment will be fairly stable for a couple of years.”

Diversity within the building has changed due to the increase in numbers. One of the reasons for this change has been the change of diversity within Kansas. Thus this has led to local communities and schools experiencing more diversity. Enrollment and the diversity will continue to change within the district in the coming years.

Students, staff get upgrades

by mackayla carr, reporter

While Rose Hill High School was not able to get all the updates wanted, new lunch tables and computers were updated.

The updated computers were provided to all high school students and teachers along with new chargers. With the computers lease being due this year, the school decided they needed to update while they had the chance.

“I think the computers had come up for renewal, and I believe that the lease on them had expired, and we were going

to take advantage of a new product,” principal Shannon Haydock said.

The updated lunch tables were seen as a strong need for Rose Hill High School’s custodial staff. Having to manually set the chairs on the tables to clean, and then having to put them back was very time consuming.

This process would take up to 25 minutes prior to getting the new tables, now it only takes about five minutes. Not only is this important for the custodians when regularly cleaning, but also when the school has dances or other activities in the lunchroom.

Forgie takes over as high school nurse

by jessa lee, reporter

Emily Forgie has joined the Rose Hill High school staff and has taken over as the new school nurse.

Forgie decided to take the job opening because she wanted to be more involved in the Rose Hill community.

She has a son that already graduated in 2020, and she has two more kids who are still in school. The older of the two is in middle school, and the youngest is in Pre-K.

Forgie’s long ties to Rose Hill and wanting to be involved with its community make her happy to play a larger part of it in the future.

This will be Forgie’s first year of being a nurse at a school, although she already has a lot of healthcare experience as she has been a nurse for 17 years.

“My previous job was at a day surgery center,” said Forgie. “I worked in the operating room as a circulating nurse, was the Operating Room supervisor, and originally started there in the post operative recovery.”

Forgie has also had several other jobs in the health department, as she said that nursing opens the doors for a wide range of work opportunities.

Emily Forgie is in her first year as the nurse at the high school. Photo by Jessa Lee

Her other jobs included working in an office for an OBGYN physician, SICU (Surgical Intensive Care Unit), MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit), and a physician supervised weight loss center.

Starting this new nursing chapter at RHHS, Forgie is looking forward to working with and getting to know the students.

“My favorite patients were always the adolescent age group,” said Forgie. “I'm a big advocate for health education, and taking care of your body. I hope to give the students who come into the office the knowledge to help take care of themselves too.”

Reed new addition to science department

by lindsey esslinger, special contributer

One of this year's new science teachers is Doris Reed. She is teaching Biology, AP Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology.

She came to Rose Hill from working at Derby High School, at which she taught zoology and biology for two years. Not only is she teaching science here, but she is also the teacher adviser of this school’s Green Club.

“I became a teacher so I could help students understand and appreciate the world around us,” Reed said.

Before she started teaching, Ree wanted to be a veterinarian but decided that wasn’t for her; instead she decided to teach students about biology and the anatomy of animals and humans.

Since she came from working in one of the biggest high schools in the area, she liked the idea of teaching in a smaller school district. When finding a new school to work at, Rose Hill’s size was one of the deciding factors that helped her choose.

“I liked the idea of working in a smaller school district so I could get to know my students and coworkers better,” Reed said.

McKee to lead choir

by mackayla carr, reporter

This year Rose Hill High School introduced several new members to the staff team. One of which is the new choir director, Riley McKee. McKee is replacing Christopher Kurt, who taught at Rose Hill High School for the last two years.

Prior to moving to Rose Hill, McKee was teaching at Udall, USD 463 for his first five years of teaching. While at Udall, McKee taught at the elementary and high school levels as a choir director.

Before making the move, McKee got involved at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church. Taking the position as the director of the Chancel Choir, which allowed him to be involved with the community of Rose Hill. Not only was McKee able to meet many community members through this, but he was also able to get to know some of the students that attend Rose Hill High School.

Having a group of kind people that welcomed McKee with open arms, helped him make the decision to transfer.

“The community has been very warm and welcoming to me and my wife and that helped me decide to apply for this position,” McKee said.

When it comes to the future of the choir, McKee wants to continue progressing with the talent that the choir already has. In addition, to striving to continue and improve the choir, he is also looking forward to educating students on how to further their careers in the music industry.

“I am also from a small community like Rose Hill and would like to show the students where music can take them after high school,” McKee said.

Not only is McKee trying to make an impact on the abilities of the choir, but he also hopes to form impactful bonds with his students, while also helping them explore the different genres of music.

“I am looking forward to building positive relationships with the students and serving as a strong mentor while teaching a wide variety of music,” McKee said.

Riley McKee is in his first year at Rose Hill High School.

Bond issue fails to pass

by jessa lee, reporter

On August 30, a vote was held in Rose Hill for the distinct-wide bond issue that would have included multiple upgrades to the school districts.

The bond was ultimately declined with the results of the vote being 724 against it, and only 471 for it.

Improvements to the high school would have included renovating the auditorium and FACS room, a new physical conditioning room and FEMA storm shelter/wrestling room, flooring upgrades, and LED lighting replacements plus other cosmetic improvements.

The middle school would have received locker rooms in the multipurpose rooms, a renovated physical conditioning room, and LED lighting replacements.

Upgrades to the primary/intermediate School were going to be a new preschool and early childhood addition/FEMA storm shelter, an art kiln room, new PK-5 grade playground surfaces, and LED lighting replacements.

As far as district-wide projects, there would have been a new Student Support Services building, track jumping and throwing upgrades, parking lot maintenance, upgraded building control systems, and upgrades to softball fields.

With all these upgrades being a possibility, there were several teachers at RHHS who were disappointed with the outcome of the vote.

“I think with updated facilities in the kitchen, the kids could have had some opportunities, maybe to do some entrepreneurship, make some things that we could sell,” said Evans. “They could get confident in their cooking skills, sharing it with other people.”

For English and Drama teacher Mark Blauser, the bond looked to renovate the auditorium, upgrading several things that would have helped out those in drama.

“Specifically the bond would have made it a lot easier to do productions in the auditorium, also a lot safer,” said Blauser. “We do need to have the curtains fire proofed. We do need a new stage. Having improved lighting, and sound, and a new sound system in the auditorium would have been a great benefit to the program.”

Board, district agree on new contract

by hayden swope, editor-in-chief

Over the past few months, the District Negotiations Team and the USD 394 Board of Education had been negotiating the updated staff contract for the 2022-2023 school year.

An agreement was finally reached on Sep 12 and it included a number of benefits, including a three percent raise for all teachers.

“Teacher negotiations are just a sit down and talk with administrations and the board and try to get on the same page for a variety of different ranges,” said Ryan Hill, who was the lead negotiator. “...to working conditions and salary, to also just the education process as a whole and making sure we’re advocating for both the students and the teachers in the classroom. It’s just an open dialogue between the parties.”

Added to the base salary next year will be $1,400 and $1,600 will be added next year. One of the biggest aspects of the proposal that staff members wanted passed was the increase to sub coverage pay.

“Process in negotiations generally involves some written proposals and discussions and some back and forth between so we can get language within contract situated,” Hill said.

After more than two decades, it’s time to say goodbye

Chickadonz to retire on June 1

by hayden swope, editor-in-chief

Rose Hill School superintendent Randal Chickadonz announced his retirement at the Sep 12 board meeting. Chickadonz has served the district since 1996, as both an assistant principal, principal and superintendent.

“It’s been my life for 26 years, so it means a lot. All of my kids have gotten a great education from here,” Chickadonz said. “This school system provided me my first opportunity to be an administrator. Rose Hill school districts also provided me with an opportunity to continue to grow professionally and become a leader of a school district for 20 years and again the significance of that is just being a part of a great team that provided a great opportunity for kids.”

Chickadonz started his teaching career in Missouri, and soon moved back to Kansas to continue teaching high school math and physical education. He taught and coached in Columbus and Ark City and then soon accepted his first administration position at Rose Hill.

“The assistant principal that was in Ark City at the time took the head principal job in Rose Hill. He called and asked if I would come and be the assistant principal before him and I accepted after some talk with our family,” Chickadonz said. “I did that job for a couple months, and our first year here he told me that he wasn't coming back after Thanksgiving. So after Thanksgiving I became the only administrator at the high school. I was the high school principal, assistant principal, and athletic director. But good things happened.”

After six years as principal, Chickadonz took on an even bigger role that would soon change his life.

“I did that job for six years and then unexpectedly the superintendent at the time passed away in April, and the board asked me to become the interim superintendent and so I was interim superintendent and high school principal for that spring and then in July they hired me in as a superintendent of school. I’ve done that job now for 20 years,” Chickadonz said.

With Chickadonz leading the way, Rose Hill schools have seen many advancements and improvements, including new technology, growing numbers, education enhancements,

and so much more.

“We’ve had some really great accomplishments,” Chickadonz said. “Over the time that I've been here I've been really proud of the work inside and in twenty years there have been a lot of them so I think probably just the focus changes that we've made.”

While looking back on his last 26 years here, Chickadonz thanks Rocket Nation and everything they have done to help the schools succeed over the years.

“You know, being a Rocket for 26 years, really that's all I remember so I think reflecting back again there's just been a lot of great moments, and a lot of teamwork,” Chickadonz said. “Fresh in my mind is the Covid pandemic that came through. Just the collaboration and teamwork that developed there kind of shows an example of what being a Rocket means to me, It means doing what you have to do to get the job done, and producing what's best for others.”

City dedicates 9/11 Memorial

by josie belden, reporter

Janice Linot went to Gerald Amato with a passion to create a 9/11 Memorial and they made a board to start creating it. The Rose Hill Historical Society and Rose Hill Chamber of Commerce are leading this project. Their goal is to make this memorial so 9/11 is never forgotten.

“We are so pleased with the community’s support and enthusiasm,” Amato said. “The chatter all over town from residents, the business owners, the school, is amazing.”

This has been a 36-month project and there will be multiple fundraising events. There will be stars put on and with a donation of $5,000 the donor’s name will be etched into the star.

“In today’s world we need a reminder to respect and build unity with our military, law enforcement, fire departments, medical personnel and each other.” Amato said

They are planning to place this memorial in one of the City of Rose Hill parks that includes a walking path around the School Street Pond.

“Let this memorial serve as a reminder of how we as a world, nation, and community responded to his evil action by strengthening our bonds with one another.” Amato said.

Their mission is to honor the lives that were lost and people injured and the people who risked their lives to save others. The wish is to educate people about the importance of this date.

“Recognize the endurance of those who survived and that at any time we may be called upon to put our own well-being aside in order to help others.” Amato said as another part of their mission.

Grateful for my opportunities

I’m Hayden Swope, the new editor-in-chief of The Rocket Press. Over the past two years, I’ve been fortunate enough to get involved with Rocket Productions.

My freshman year I was in a class called “Digital Media Design and Production” that put together the school’s yearbook. I had been thinking about what I wanted to do after high school, and when I walked into class with Mr. Browning asking me if I’d be interested in broadcasting, my life changed.

During the Covid shutdown, I was watching the NFL draft with my parents. I remem ber sitting there thinking, “Hey, this might be something I’m interested in,” but didn’t think anything like that could come my way. Coincidentally, the very next Monday, Mr. Browning asked if I would join his broadcast class. I remember my mouth dropping, getting an odd look from Browning, and everything clicking in that moment.

I started my sophomore year taking both Video Production and Yearbook. I quickly caught on to how they ran things in the broadcast world, and fit in well with the other reporters. I immediately knew it was for me.

Browning saw something in me that I didn’t, and gave me the opportunity to host a show called The Rocket Coach’s Corner. Shortly after, I took over the sports segment of our weekly show Wake Up Rose Hill.

During the second semester of my sophomore year, I was a special contributor to the Rocket Press. After writing my first story, I was urged to join the news magazine staff my junior year, and fill the shoes of last year’s editor Sydney LaKous.

In early March, Browning told me of an internship for VYPE Kansas. I immediately took the position and started writing for the magazine. Looking back on it now, I can confidently say it has truly changed my life for the better.

I wasn’t able to write more than two stories for The Rocket Press, so I was beyond ner vous to be writing for a professional magazine. With the guidance of Browning, which I wouldn’t be here without, I successfully wrote my first six stories for VYPE.

With the Coach’s Corner, the sports segment, and VYPE, I thought I had enough on my plate. Though towards the end of the year, I came up with the show called The Player’s Lounge, which started to air at the beginning of September.

After high school, I hope to attend a college with a good journalism program. While I am undecided on what college I would like to attend, I can only hope that one day you will see me on your TVs. Until then, I have a lot of people to make proud, and I can’t wait to see what these last two years hold.

ROCKET

Mr. Owens’ Physical Science class works on a project.

Stuco members after Party at the Turf.

Rose Hill High School staff, community members and STUCO meet to discuss Community Service Day.

The Rose Hill Rocketaires traveled to the Kansas State Fair for a competition.

Pastor Joe Cowell and Victory Church host the football team before a Friday nigh showdown.

Jack Hensley tries to control the ball in the Rockets game with Berean Academy.