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Volume 3, Issue 5 May 16, 2021
ROCKET PRESS
‘21 Your School. Your Magazine.
Here’s to You Inside this Issue
• A tribute to the Class of 2021 • Three high school staff members to retire • High School counselor and librarian moving on
CONTENTS
NEWS 4--SPECIAL ED TEACHER ETHINGTON RETIRES
4--HIGH SCHOOL HIRES NEW STAFF MEMBERS 5--SCIENCE TEACHER YOUSE RETIRES 6--LONGTIME LIBRARIAN MOVING TO MINNESOTA 7-- HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR TAKES JOB IN DERBY 12--BROADCAST PROGRAM CHANGING DIRECTIONS CONTENTS--2
OPINION 10--SO LONG TO THE ROCKET PRESS
COVER
8--CLASS OF 2021: HERE’S TO YOU
8
YOUR SCHOOL. YOUR MAGAZINE.
PHOTOS 18- ROCKET LIFE
Bryce Bischler and Haley Thrush won Senior Athlete of the Year award.
Charlie Black plays against Wellington.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
rocketpd17
ASSISTANT EDITOR
RocketPd17
REPORTERS
Rocket Productions
STAFF
LYDIA KIMBLE
SYDNEY LAKOUS
SAM LARSON JESSA LEE LINDSEY ESSLINGER KIRSTEN-ANN SMITH THOMAS SMITH KENDRA HOUSER
COVER DESIGN AND LAYOUT
LYDIA KIMBLE AND MR. BROWNING
The Rocket Press is the official news magazine of Rose Hill High School that is published 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.
CONTENTS--3
HIGH SCHOOL HIRES SPECIAL ED NEW STAFF MEMBERS TEACHER ETHINGTON RETIRES By Kendra Houser, Reporter
Kevin Ethington, a special education teacher at Rose Hill High School, is retiring after 15 years of teaching at RHHS. “Although I will miss my staff friends, I'm ready to retire after 27 years,” said Ethington. He has had a positive experience at Rose Hill and feels it is a good time to move on. “I have enjoyed my time here and have been inspired by many of my current and former students,” said Ethington. His students have taught him some lessons that have led him to become a better teacher. “Being a teacher has taught me to be attuned to listening to students so that I have the chance to learn too,” said Ethington. With his retirement, he plans to spend some time doing activities he enjoys. “I don't think my wife of 35 years is going to give me any extra free time,” said Ethington. “I will sneak some time for myself and spend it reading!” Ethington enjoyed teaching here, and enjoyed the students and staff. Rose Hill High will miss having Ethington as a teacher, but we are so happy for him and his retirement.
NEWS--4
Lindsey Jones was hired to be the new counselor at Rose Hill High School. Jones previously worked as a substitute teacher in the Derby School District. Jones hopes to help students in their education, careers, and social health. She is excited to work with the staff and be able to talk and help students so that they may live their best high school lives. “I moved to Kansas a couple years ago. I decided to pursue a master's degree in counseling. I also started substitute teaching as a way to learn more about schools and the field of education,” said Jones. ““I'm here to prepare students to feel confident wherever their life path may take them.”
The Rose Hill High School Special Education department is gaining a new teacher next year. Lorri Westbrook is currently from Augusta where she has been working since 2017, but will join the high school staff next year. Westbrook recently moved to Rose Hill and in February she learned about the new positions at Rose Hill High School, and decided to take it. “It is a difficult decision to leave my current teaching position at Augusta High School, however I believe I will love Rose Hill's high school students, staff and community just as much as those I currently know, work alongside, and serve,” said Westbrook.
By The Rocket Press Staff
SCIENCE TEACHER YOUSE RETIRES By Jessa Lee, Reporter
Among the Rose Hill High School teachers retiring is science teacher Lee Ann Youse, who teaches Physics, CPS, Physical Science, and is the head of the Robotics Program. Youse has worked at Rose Hill for three decades, and she remembers well her first time at work in the high school. “This is my 25th year,” Youse said. “My first year was the first full year in this building. They had moved in the previous year, during the first semester.” When asked about her retirement, Youse said that she is getting ready for it to be here as it is getting closer. “Now that the paperwork for retirement is finished and my room is nearly cleaned out, I'm starting to look forward to retirement,” Youse stated. “I'm starting to count the days.” Although she is patiently waiting until she can eventually settle down at home, there are some things Youse will definitely miss from her teacher life. “I will miss the interaction with the students,” Youse said. “I will really miss seeing how this year's freshmen turn out. I can't imagine not being here for next year's Best Robotics. I'll miss driving around the round-about.” Youse said she will sleep, eat, watch TV and play computer games with her newfound free time. “I also plan to take over some of the housekeeping that my husband has been doing for the last 12 years or so,” Youse said. “I hope to have time to work on genealogy and to do lots of reading. Neither of which I have had much time for in the last 25 years.”
NEWS--5
LONGTIME LIBRARIAN MOVING TO MINNESOTA
By Lindsey Esslinger, Reporter
Leslie Black, the librarian at Rose Hill High School is leaving the district after the end of the school year. Her husband took a job in Grand Rapid, Minnesota, so Black will be joining him once their son, Charlie, graduates. Black said she will miss many things in the community. “The students are great,” Black said. “High school kids get a bad rap sometimes. They are for the most part very thoughtful and fun to be around. I love seeing them each day.” She will miss not being able to see the students grow from kids to young adults. Once she moves, she will be taking a year off from work, and spend her time taking in the new scenery.
NEWS--6
She said she will be enjoying herself by the lake, and having fun in the snow during the winter. Black currently doesn’t know what she will do after he year off, but she will figure that out when she gets to that point. Black is more than a librarian to this school, she is also a friend to many of the people who work here. She has been an asset to this school for many years, but now it is time for a new chapter in her life. “I think the school is going to lose someone who cares about the school a lot,” senior Chrissy Travnicek said. “She makes going into the library something that is fun.”
HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR TAKES JOB IN DERBY
By Sydney LaKous Assistant-Editor
After being the junior/senior counselor at Rose Hill High School for five years, Casey Tarrant has decided to move to the Derby district to be closer to her family. She will be a counselor at Derby Middle School. “It will be nice to have the same days off of school (as my kids),” Tarrant said. “I will be able to work in the building that my daughters will be attending. I am excited to be able to be there for my daughters. Middle school is such a hard time.” Although Tarrant’s time at RHHS is coming to an end, she had a great experience here. Her favorite part of being a Rocket was the students. “They make my job fun! I love being a part of big life changes for students - scholarships, college admissions, new jobs,” said Tarrant. Deciding to go to another district took a lot of thinking for Tarrant. She said it was one of the hardest decisions she has had to make in a long time, but is excited for a change. “It all comes down to family,” said Tarrant.
NEWS--7
CLASS OF 2021: HERES TO YOU
By Sydney LaKous, Assistant-Editor
The class of 2021 has endured uncertainty like no other. Between going back and forth from online and in person classes, they have learned to be flexible. Jenny Page, a Physical Education teacher at RHHS, and the 2021 class sponsor, couldn’t be more proud of these seniors.
like no other. “Most of us were raised together so we have a bond that other high school classes don’t have,” Geer said. “With COVID and Reese (Naylor) and Charlie (Futhey), I feel pride because we pushed through all this and we’ve stuck together.”
Riley Baker, also a senior at Rose “I have so much admiration for the Hill High School, was grateful to the class of 2021,” Page said. “They have administration for attempting to make had to endure a lot of losses - the loss of it a typical year. cherished classmates and many pivotal “I'm so pleased with how well the high school moments and events. With school has gone to ensure that the loss comes growth and appreciation.” class of 2021 has a normal senior year,” said Baker. Emma Geer, a senior at RHHS, said her overall experience was a little different Baker also felt like her class has from normal high school years. proved themselves to be a strong one. “It was harder and more disappointing because we didn't get a lot of the things that other seniors got or what a normal senior would get,” Geer said. “Our year has been uncertain; we haven’t known what's going on with COVID and everything so we’ve just been guessing.”
“Losing Reese and Charlie was so hard and I believe my class came together for each other in that time of need,” said Baker.
Geer said that through the difficulties, their class developed a relationship
“The class of 2021 is special in many ways, they have dealt with many
COVER--8
Ryan Hill, the Industrial Technology teacher at RHHS, said the departure of the senior class is bittersweet.
challenges which made them have to grow up a little too quickly, but now that they have adapted and overcome those challenges, I'm excited to see what they will become,” Hill said. “Life is all about perseverance and living for the moment and I know this class knows how to do those things.”
continue the legacy of a Rocket and rise above.” This class has experienced loss at a young age when they lost their close peers, Naylor and Futhey, both to cancer. Page told the class to ‘Keep On Keeping On’.
Hill advised the class to look ahead and “I hope that the class of 2021 will continue to see the positive in all not to dwell on the past. situations and continue to live life knowing that tomorrow isn't “My message for the class of 2021 is promised,” said Page. “I hope they to cherish these memories, but know continue to seek joy and keep on you have many more in your life as striving to make a difference for others well,” Hill said. “Remember the life in this world.” lessons taught here but improve upon them. Treat people with respect and give back when you can. And finally,
Seniors participate in the final Party at the Turf in April. COVER--9
SO LONG TO THE ROCKET PRESS
By Lydia Kimble, Editor-In-Chief
When I first joined The Rocket Press, it was a four-person staff. The staff included former students Lathe Cobb, Micah Streeter, and Koby Campbell. I had no clue what I was getting into; I really didn't mean to sign up for the class, but thankfully I was placed in it, because it has changed my high school experience. My freshman year was filled with fun, laughter, and a whole lot of jokes. The paper was not a magazine yet; it was plain pages and did not have a real theme. As you could only imagine, the class had some fun times, and some pretty good friendships developed. At the beginning of my sophomore year, we started the magazine, and the staff changed up a bit. I started to help with layout and design; we did our first themed magazine, which was about juuling. We had colors, and photos and so much more. The past two years-my junior and senior years--I was the editor-in-chief, and I am so happy to release this title to Sydney LaKous. We have grown so much as both staff and publication in just four years as we have reached hundreds of views on the website, along with breaking some huge school news. We have had some setbacks, ideas that were dead-ends, along with stories that simply didn’t work out.
OPINION--10
Matt Browning created something in the four years I have been here, and it was a family. We were kids that were from all walks of life and high school became a place to confide and trust each other. I have met students through The Rocket Press, and made friendships that I would not be fortunate enough to have. Seeing kids from all areas of our high school come together is not a common sight--creating an environment where everyone can be who they are. I will really miss this class next year; from all the friends and memories that I have too many to write them down. Printing for the last time, Lydia Kimble.
GRADUATION BACK TO NORMAL-ISH By Thomas Smith, Reporter
The Rose Hill graduates of 2021 have gone through a difficult school year dealing with COVID-19 that caused many problems with social events such as dances or sports games. But the final event of their school year will look as close to normal as anything else this year, as graduation will be held in the main gymnasium like in previous years. The plans for graduation have been in discussion since the beginning of the school year, according to Shannon Haydock, the principal of Rose Hill High School. “This is a decision that has been in the works for several months,” Haydock said. “Starting in the first semester and basically the first meeting of the year we had graduation on our agenda to talk about.” There are different possibilities with the visual aspects of graduation. “We’ve talked about the drive up scenario, we talked about having it outdoors at the stadium, so yes we've talked about having students come in one at a time across the stage like a lot of schools and districts did last year,” said Haydock. Even with all the benefits graduation has to offer there are some arrangements that those at graduation will have such as wearing masks, social distancing, and ticket limits for family’s only. “We have certain protocols and things that are in place that we have to work around,” Haydock said. “We have the county health department giving us numbers on how many numbers we can have indoors, how we’re going to socially distance families and students alike, and really just the number we can have.” The high school graduation will be at 2:30 on Sunday, May 16 in the main gymnasium. It will also be streamed on Rocket Productions’ YouTube channel.
NEWS--11
BROADCAST PROGRAM CHANGING DIRECTIONS
By Sam Larson, Reporter
Since 2017, the Rose Hill High School Video Production class has been producing news for the city of Rose Hill with their show, Channel 7 News. But after these four years, it's time for the show to finally conclude. Even though Channel 7 News is coming to a close, the future of Rocket Productions is bright. In 2017, former students Micah Streeter and Lathe Cobb had the idea to start a news show for the video production class. In the beginning, they started with relatively poor equipment, such as low quality cameras, poor lighting, and weak audio.
Acelyn Robert said she will miss many things about the class. “The relationships I have built in the class, it made it easier to go to school at the time,” said Robert. “I know what's expected for the class, I'll miss the old style since I was there when it was started.” Even though the show is winding down, it isn't the end of the video production program. Next year, Rocket Productions is introducing their new show, Channel 7 News’ ‘Wake Up Rose Hill’.
The main difference in shows is the duration. The original show had one 20 minute show every two weeks, but the Over the years, the show has evolved. It new show will introduce five minute has acquired and lost many cast members, shows every day. but they have upgraded almost every piece of equipment in the studio, along ‘Wake up Rose Hill' will also have a newer with much more. format, taking inspiration from Good Morning America. It will feature more of Channel 7 News has also reported many the students personalities as opposed to stories, some being historical events such reading from a script. as a presidential election and a worldwide virus. Students will also be hard at work every day performing different tasks everyday. With the year coming to a close, it also isn’t just the end of the local news show, Even with the close of Channel 7 News, but it's also the time seniors say goodbye. the future is bright for the next year of Among these seniors, one of them has Rocket Productions. been part of Channel 7 News since day one of the show.
NEWS--12
SPORTS BRIEFS
-As of press time, the Rocket baseball team was 4-14 with two games remaining at Belle Plaine. The Rockets were projected to be the No. 12 seed in 4A West. -The Rocket golf team heads to regionals on May 17 at Wellington. The Rockets will be battling Winfield and Clearwater for a spot at the 4A Tournament in Dodge City. Senior Zach Hoang has the 13th best scoring average in 4A. -Postseason track starts on May 14 at Collegiate, with regionals May 21 at Andale. Both boys and girls teams have several individuals in the running to qualify for state. -The Rocket softball team has a record of 9-9 and is projected to be the No. 8 seed in the 4A West regional. Possible first round opponents could be Wellington, Circle or Winfield.
-As of press time, the Rocket girls soccer team is 7-7 and possible first round regional opponents could be Wichita Classical, Wichita Collegiate or Augusta.
-Staff Writers NEWS--13
ROCKET Haley Thrush jumps at the Clearwater track meet.
The Kansas Scholar Award winners from Rose Hill High School. PHOTOS--14
LIFE Lexie Rose dribbling the ball against Mulvane.
Naveya Gardner catching ball against circle. PHOTOS--15
2021
