Andover High Trojan Bluestreak- Issue 9

TTB the trojan bluestreak

1744 N. Andover Road. Andover, KS 67002 Volume 26 Issue 10 May 11, 2012

Making the best use of your money A look at economy of student body (pg.12-13)

news: {pg 2} Students compete at state music festival

feature: {pg 8-9} Students participate in vegan, vegetarian lifestyle

sports: {pg 20-21} Cost of club sports takes toll on students and families

{news}

Music department performs well at state festivals During the month of April, the bands and choirs competed in state competition, performing in front of judges.

The State Large Group Music Festival was held at on April 18 at Wichita East High School. All schools from Butler, Sedgwick, Harvey and Reno counties were in attendance.

“All bands across the state attend one of 15 sites across the state during the same two day time period,” band director Ray Linville said.

State Solos and Small Ensembles was held April 28, and was hosted by the school.

“Competing students qualified by earning a division one rating at their regional event,” choir director Bob Schofer said. “All 4A high schools from the entire state met here at Andover High School.”

Both students and teachers were happy with their performance, feeling well prepared and ready for their performances.

“I felt good about the performance,” sophomore Elizabeth Yowell said. “I was happy with my performance and I think that we did very well as a whole.”

Yowell was a part of a small ensemble that ended up earning a I rating.

“It was difficult when you think of the competition that there was,” Yowell said. “But I felt as though my Freshman Asia Haque warms up with her ensemble was calm about it and felt prepared.” clarinet on her own in the homeroom for There were 13 judges in total, many of them being Andover during the State Solo and Ensemble college level teachers. They were hired by the KSHSAA festival on April 28. Haque was one of four (Kansas State High School Activities Association). band soloists who earned a superior first divi“I think we did really well,” sophomore Meagan sion rating. Photo by Abby Bradshaw Hurd said. “The judges looked like they were having

Snip-its

Seniors compete against staff at annual basketball game

2

Once a year, students and staff face off for a friendly game of basketball, this year playing during Spring Fling.

“Just the fact that is it students versus teachers is the rivalry,” counselor Sue Coffman said.”I think in the past years it was a bit more exciting but this year, it just was not as exciting.”

The staff faced a few setbacks though, despite their win. Physical Education teacher Ryan Harshaw did not play at this year’s basketball game, due to him coaching at a game that day.

“I know he is really busy and stuff but I think we did well,” Coffman said. “I certainly did better in previous games but I think I played well.”

Students enjoyed the games as well, liking the fact that it was during Spring Fling, as it was not in past years.

“This year’s game was pretty interesting,” sophomore Kayla Parsons said. “It is fun to see how the students play against staff.

mariaSTANLEY May 11, 2012

fun listening to us.”

To prepare for state choir, most of second semester was spent practicing and preparing for the competition.

“It was not that difficult because Mr. Schofer had us sing it so many times during practice,” Hurd said. “But it is different because you have to conduct yourself.”

Students who performed solos were required to sing two contrasting solos, both of them memorized.

Students that were a part of small ensemble sang one or two songs. “[I was] definitely happy with the performances, “ Schofer said. “ Our school was represented extremely well.”

The Andover band scored a superior (“I” rating).

Goddard High School and Andover were the only schools present that received superior ratings for two concert band performances.

“I was extremely pleased with both performances,” Linville said. “I thought all of our performers presented their best performance of the year with a musical excellence that not many schools can equal.”

The bands began rehearsing in March, practicing daily. There were three judges in each of the performance rooms, in total nine judges for the day. Judges ranged from college professors and retired high school music teachers and were selected by KSHSAA. “Many of our music students and music parents helped host this event at our school,” Schofer said.

“They were fantastic.”

mariaSTANLEY

Students recognized for achievements at assemblies

For more than 23 years, the school has held an academic and athletic assembly at the end of the school year.

Held in the auditorium, the athletic and academic assemblies lasted about an hour, honoring students who achieved awards and scholarships.

“We believe that it is good for students to recognize their peers for all their accomplishments that they have achieved throughout their high school years,” guidance counselor Sue Coffman said. “It is a good way to give these students a pat on the back for going out of their way to achieve more. It’s a good chance for them to shine.”

An estimated $66,000 in scholarships were awarded to students. Even after the assembly, money was still being awarded.

“The school that gave the most money of scholarships was probably Oklahoma State,” Coffman said.

“The reason I say Oklahoma State is because it is an out of state college so it has out of state tuition and the scholarships help cover that. But if you earn a certain score on the ACTs, you don not have to pay out of state tuition.”

The academic assembly also included slides on the powerpoint on where seniors are going for college.

“I like having the academic assemblies,” senior Senior Trayte Boswell blocks math teacher Brent Eden Zarkeshan said. “It gives you a chance to see who got scholarships and it is cool to see who is going where Reidy during the student staff basketball game for college.” on April 27. The student team lost by three mariaSTANLEY points to the teachers. Photo by Zach Syrios

Spanish native brings knowledge of language to Andover In 1974, para Paula Ratchford’s family welcomed their first foreign exchange student. Since then, Ratchford has had numerous foreign exchange students up until 2003.

She has formed friendships and relationships with the people she has met by visiting them even after they leave and just keeping in touch. Last summer, Ratchford went to Bogota, Colombia to visit past foreign exchange students she has housed. She considers them to be her own grandchildren.

“That school is one of the few schools in Colombia that has children with disabilities and the principal at the school wanted me to come talk to the teachers after school one day about it,” Ratchford said.

While in Bogota, Ratchford met Alina Constanza Mora. Mora taught at the school in Bogota and Paula invited her to come to America to improve her English speaking skills. “[In Colombia] they are more comfortable with writing and reading English than speaking it and English is one of the required classes they take,” Ratchford said.

Mora stayed with the Ratchford’s for about a month and left April 14. Mora is from a suburb outside of Bogota, Colombia.

For a month, she sat in on English teacher Elizabeth Miller’s dual credit English class, Meredith Mendenhall’s Spanish 4 and 5 classes and Jane Harwell’s special education classes.

Mendenhall took a different approach to Mora’s education in her Spanish class because Spanish is

Mora’s native tongue.

“She did the homework, but did it backwards by translating from Spanish to English. I also had her present on Colombia and I had her talk with students in Spanish,” Mendenhall said.

While living with the Ratchford’s, Mora’s English has improved because she is in a English speaking household. Ratchford found that using hand gestures to communicate helps.

“I do think her English is improving. Just being here is helping her,” Miller said.

Mora found the adjustment to another country to be an easy transition.

“It is different but I am able to find out about new customs. I feel very good because the teachers and students are very nice,” Mora said.

Within the time that Mora stayed here, she formed a strong friendship with the Ratchfords’.

“It took a while to warm up and adjust, but I think we had a connection and every time we have had a foreign exchange student or someone from another country come we give them a key and Alina cried when we gave her a key to our house,” Ratchford said.

Ratchford encourages people to become involved in the foreign exchange student program.

“My family says that foreign exchange students come as strangers and leave as family. We meet to part and part to meet again. We think they learn a lot from Alina Mora works at a desk in the library. Mora us, but we learn a lot from them,” Ratchford said. works with the speical needs program in Columbia and came to America to improve her kathrynSILL English. Photo by Cale Minear

mention this AD to recieve

20%

off your services

Expires 6/15/12 May 11, 2012

3

Senior Salem and sophomore Grace Cusick transferred to Andover from Collegiate.

Moving to Andover was the Cusicks’ first experience in a public school. Photo by Cale Minear

Families move to Andover, reap benefits Families move to the Andover school district from all over, often simply because they have heard about how strong the school system is.

Families like the Cusicks, the Puzins and the Parades have made the transition and decided to give Andover a try. Many factors can persuade a family to pick up their roots and relocate their families and their lives. These reasons could range from the economy, job opportunities or, as it is with these families, the school district.

“We moved [to Andover] so that McKenzi could go to school here,” said father of sophomore McKenzi Puzin, Michael Puzin.

While a family might move to Andover for the school system, parents sometimes have to make sacrifices to allow their children the opportunity to go to Andover.

Michael and Melissa Puzin moved across town to allow their daughter the chance to receive an education in the Andover School District. Their daily commute to jobs in Wichita now includes the extra 10 miles added to their route upon moving.

“My parents looked online seven years ago at

the neighboring schools,” McKenzi said. “Many of my parents’ friends had children in the Andover school district and that sealed the deal.”

The parents are not the only ones in the family that have to make sacrifices; the children also have to move. They leave their old school and friends behind to start at a completely different and new place. This change can be a good thing for the students.

“Andover is really advanced compared to my old school Coleman,” freshman Quinlan Parades said.

The parents can also welcome these changes.

“We were in need of a bigger home,”Quinlan’s father Santiago Parades said. “We also wanted our kids to go to Andover after hearing good things from my boss and co-workers.”

Sometimes when families move the changes don’t have to be as dramatic as some. For the Cusicks, this was the case as they only changed districts and did not have a need to change houses.

“I have lived in the district for a long time,” sophomore Grace Cusick said. “But I have always gone to a private school before this.”

Nick and Kim Cusick decided it was time for the

children, Grace and Salem, to go to Andover after only hearing good things from people they knew that were currently going to Andover.

Once moving to Andover, a family has a hard time regretting the decision; the academic scores, the involvement of the teachers and administration, and the overall feel of the school convinced the Cusick family that they had made the right choice.

“Going into a new school I didn’t really know what to expect,” Grace said. “It is a lot bigger [of a school] it was also fun to meet so many new people.”

The Puzins feel the same.

“It is really nice,” McKenzi said. “It is bigger than my old school but it’s small enough that I am content.

I also had amazing chances to meet new people, I love Andover and I do not want to leave.”

All three of these families said they were content with their decisions to move to Andover for its school system. After being asked it they would choose to go here again they all said an affirmative yes.

“As much as I like to explore new places,” Quinlan said. “Andover is one of the best places to be.”

garrettWOLF

VISIT AHSBLUESTREAK.COM

4

Use smart phones to access The Trojan Bluestreak’s website for current news coverage.

May 11, 2012

May 11, 2012

5

HOUSE HOUSE

{around andover}

T O

6

Students leave homes to live with temporary families While most students live at home with their parents, a group of students are experiencing living with other families.

Foreign exchange student Fernando Duarte is living with junior Pedro Toledo.

“I wanted to live with them because the family’s dad is an old friend of my dad, so that would make the experience much easier for me,” Duarte said.

Duarte’s family lives thousands of miles away in Brazil.

“I miss my mom whom I could tell anything and my dad who always cheers me up and of course my dog,” Duarte said.

Duarte has been in the United States for nine months after he enrolled in a foreign exchange program. He will continue living here for about two more months.

“I like the fact that I feel less pressured and chased all the times from my parents,” Duarte said.

“But I miss the close relationship I have with my parents.”

Duarte has only seen his parents once in the last nine months.

“Overall the greatest things I have achieved from this experience is the best friends in the whole world and maturity,” Duarte said.

Foreign exchange student Valentina Cardona also lives far away from her family.

“I am originally from Italy,” Cardona said.

Cardona has experienced many differences from her home in Italy since she has been in the US. “Where I am from we have five years of high

May 11, 2012

school, we stay in the same class room all day, and there are different high schools based specifically on what you want to study,” Cardona said.

In Italy different laws pertain to things such as driving and alcohol.

“You have to be 18 before you can drive, but you can legally buy alcohol at 16,” Cardona said. “Which is completely opposite of the laws here.”

Cardona plans to enjoy everything she can while she is visiting and has really enjoyed this experience.

“I have really grown up so much since I have been here,” Cardona said. “Being on your own really forces you to be independent.”

Cardona’s parents will also be getting the chance to visit the states. They are coming in June to visit Cardona for her birthday.

“Coming here has been a dream come true,” Cardona said.

Senior Madelaine Smira is also living away from her family, who all live in Mississippi.

“I asked if I could live with them (the Highfills) because I wanted to go to school at Andover and go to K-State after my senior year,” Smira said. “In-state tuition is a lot cheaper than out-of-state tuition.”

Smira has been living away from home since the end of July 2011 when she moved in with her new temporary family.

“I really like that I have gotten a lot of experience for college and being on my own,” Smira said.

“For example, I have to buy my own groceries and do different things like that.”

The hardest part for many students living with other families is the fact they miss their own families.

“I really miss having my little brothers around,” Smira said. “The only other kid living with me right now is Jacob and he isn’t exactly a toddler.”

Smira misses being woke up in the morning by her 4-year-old brother screaming to help him put his LEGO’S together.

It can be difficult when students only see their parents on a limited basis.

“I saw my family at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break,” Smira said. “My dad is in Iraq though, so I see him maybe two or three times a year.

It is also hard for the families of children who live away from them.

“She (Madelaine Smira) is not physically here to hang out and bond like we use to,” sister Lizzy said.

Smira is about a thirteen-hour drive from her mother and siblings but sometimes they meet up half way in Dallas, Texas.

Smira moved back to Andover for her second half of her junior year after realizing Mississippi was not the place for her anymore.

“I came to visit over the summer and when I went back to Mississippi I talked to my mom about possibly coming,” Smira said.

Smira also wanted to make sure and give a special thanks to the Highfills for letting her stay with them and for all they have done for her.

“I just want to thank the Highfills,” Smira said.

“For letting me stay with them all this time.”

haileyPURDY

Sophomore begins degree at FHSU’s high school to college transition program

{feature}

Sophomore Michael Cory shows off his Fort Hays State University I.D. card and an information packet he received from the college.

Cory plans on finishing getting his GED during his first two years at FHSU. Photo by Brooke Hilbert

Along with the senior class, sophomore Michael Cory will attend college next year.

“I will be attending a program called the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science offered at Fort Hayes State University,” Cory said.

According to the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science brochure, students must be a high school sophomore in order to apply to this program. Even though Cory could not apply until his sophomore year, he has been thinking about this decision for a long time.

“I found out about this program around eigthgrade and made the decision because it was an incredi-

b l e opportunity,” Cory said.

This program allows students to interact with college professors and other students which will provide Cory with opportunities that other high school students may not otherwise receive.

“He will earn a high school diploma while also earning college credit. He will be close to being a junior at the college level by the end of the two year,” math teacher Mike Sprenkel said.

The program accepts 30 students

from across Kansas and eight national or international students per year, according to the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science brochure.

“I got something on the program in the mail and Mrs. (Amber) Riedy found out more about the program for me,” Cory said.

This program is directed toward exceptional high school juniors and seniors who have an interest in math and science.

“This program allows me to concurrently finish high school credits while taking college courses integrated with the college community,” Cory said.

Cory wants to go into the bio-medical engineering field because he has always loved the freedom of innovations.

“To earn this degree it requires tons upon tons of school. I plan on earning my Ph.D. in this field which can require six to eight years of college,” Cory said.

Moving away from home and to a college campus can be scary, but Cory said he is ready for the change.

“It was a tough decision, not so much leaving home, but leaving friends behind,” Cory said.

Throughout this whole experience Cory’s friends have been supportive and encouraged him along the way.

“I think this is a great opportunity. I think he’s really going to enjoy it and it’ll open so many doors for him,” sophomore Kody Kostboth said.

All of Cory’s friends think that this is the best decision for him to make.

“I think this is the best because I know how smart he is and he should go or a challenge so he can get ahead,” sophomore Thomas Archer said.

Even though Cory will be moving onto campus and his friends will miss him, Michael will still be able to come back and visit.

“The thing that is unique about this program,” Cory said. “Is that it allows me to be able to return for high school events such as prom, homecoming, Trojan Nite and other events.”

stephanieMUNSON

May 11, 2012

7

Going V Animal rights cited as reason for healthier lifestyle Choosing themselves to be vegetarians, juniors Shannon Henry and Julia Reid made this decision a few years ago.

Henry and Reid both are vegetarians for the same reasons; they believe that animal cruelty is wrong and that animals shouldn’t be tortured for their meat.

“About seven years ago I lived in Pennsylvania and there was a breakout of mad cow disease and ever since then I haven’t liked to eat meat,” Henry said. “I also watched a video on how animals are killed and treated for their meat, which made me want to become a vegetarian.”

Both girls said it was never a challenge for them to become a vegetarian because they love animals and having that strong of a passion for something makes it easier.

“It wasn’t that much of a change because the only meat I ever ate before was chicken because I never really liked anything else,” Reid said. “So becoming one wasn’t a problem.”

Because Henry became a vegetarian in elementary school and was younger, transitioning into a vegetarian was not hard for her.

“The only problem when becoming a vegetarian for some people is that for the first one to two weeks you crave meat sometimes, but after you get past that stage your fine,” Henry said.

Reid and Henry mainly eat pastas, cheese, some Chinese, soy, tofu and veggies. For protein, the girls mainly rely on peanut butter, eggs, and some nuts or soy.

Many non-vegetarians and vegetarians alike question whether being a vegetarian makes any difference. Over 1.3 billion human beings in the United States could be fed from the amount of grain and soybeans that livestock consume and it has been proven that it takes 7.5 pounds of protein feed to create 1 pound of consumable meat. This means close to 90 percent of protein from wheat and beans is lost

to feed cycling.

If all the wheat, soy, and beans were kept and not fed to livestock, the entire population of the US could be fed and there would still be enough leftover to feed one billion people. In a world where millions of people die of starvation each year, this is the reasoning behind many vegetarians knowing this food could be given to starving people.

“The benefits of being a vegetarian are spending less money because meat can be expensive and many vegetarian dishes are really healthy,” Henry said. “But the downfalls are having a lack of some nutrients and having to get those by taking supplements and finding restaurant dishes without meat.

Reid has been a vegetarian for 3 years and Henry nearly 7 years; they both plan on being one for the rest of their lives.

“It doesn’t bug me if other people eat meat because it is their decision,” Reid said. “I just choose not to.”

Reid and Henry chose not to become vegans (meaning you can’t eat any sort of food that contains animal product) because those certain animals are not killed.

“Animals don’t die when you’re a vegetarian,” Henry said. “And I love certain foods like chocolate, cheese, and ice cream that contain dairy products.”

Even though many people have had their opinions on the girls being vegetarians, they never have let it get to them nor have their minds changed because of it.

“Many vegetarians have the ‘tree-hugging hippie stereo type’ and people like to taunt you with talking about meat all the time,” Henry said. “But I just shrug it off if they have a concern about it; I just don’t eat meat because I don’t want to. And I have no problem with it.”

Lunch with vegetarians...

brookeLEATHERMAN

&

8

May 11, 2012

Water: 0 calories

Banana: 105 calories

Sandwich: 250 calories

Lipton sweet tea: 100 calories

Ingredients: Wheat bread, vegetarian meat lettuce, sliced oranges, sliced tomatoes

Cheez-its: 100 calories Pasta: 396 calories

Vegetarian

Junior boy chooses vegetarian due to religion Because of his religious roots, junior Aditya Kulkarni has had no other option but to be a vegetarian for his whole life.

“Most people have more of a challenge when transitioning into a vegetarian, but it was never hard for me because I have been one ever since I was born,” Kulkarni said.

Kulkarni and his family practice Hinduism meaning they are restricted to eating grains, vegetables, nuts, beans, milk, eggs and fruit, but no meat products. It is believed meat eating has a negative influence on existence and a healthy vegetarian diet is able to increase purity of consciousness and a longer life.

“My inspiration to be a vegetarian is more religious,” Kulkarni said. “Since it is forbidden to hurt animals, you can’t consume them.”

Kulkarni’s diet mainly includes vegetables, tofu, eggs, and pasta, being his favorite. Many people who practice Hinduism have different opinions on eating habits. Some believe that along with meat that eggs, poultry and fish should be forbidden while others still eat it because of protein needs.

Some also believe that garlic, onions, mushrooms, alcohol, and drinks obtaining caffeine shouldn’t be eaten as well.

“In order to get my protein I have to eat a lot of eggs, beans, and some tofu,” Kulkarni said. “Being a vegetarian is beneficial with money because meat costs more but not eating meat means lack in muscle.”

Other benefits of being a vegetarian include food being easier to digest, providing a wider range of nutrients and it has been proven that vegetarians tend to have stronger immune system, consuming foods that are high in essential vitamins and minerals.

Vegetarian life has never been a challenge for Kulkarni because he has his own food to eat; he plans on being a vegetarian for the rest of his life.

“It is helpful to have a whole family who are vegetarians because if you live with people who eat the same food as you, it is never a conflict,” Kulkarni said.

Being a vegetarian for Hindu’s is more than just watching what you put into your body, but also focusing on your mind and soul. Believing that all of God’s creatures are worthy of respect and care, regardless of whether they are humans or animals, should never be eaten. The beliefs of vegetarians by choice and force are very similar but also different when it comes to religion.

“Being a vegetarian is my way of life and my family’s life and it means a lot to me,” Kulkarni said. “Many people don’t think much of their eating habits but because I do it has taught me a lot about food, my religion and culture, and nutrition.

brookeLEATHERMAN May 11, 2012

9

Staff

{editorial}

10

{ EDITORIAL}

The Andover High administration and faculty have done a great job helping to prepare students for the future beyond high school throughout the 2011-2012 school year.

Vote: 22-3

The school’s administration and faculty do an excellent job of preparing students for life after high school.

Andover has been a trademark location for families in the Wichita area to raise children due to the excellent school system that has been established here.

The administration at Andover is tough on its students, in the hopes of training the students to make mature decisions and build for the future. That is an important lesson, which is pressed into the minds of the Andover community enabling students to be taught the importance of going to college and how it will positively influence their lives.

The two counselors have done a fantastic job with students, helping out with all of students’ needs and making sure they are taken care of come graduation time. It is certainly not an easy job and they make it look easy.

The school also offers additional help to students with its ACT prep sessions in which students are given review questions similar to the ACT test itself.

Actual teachers head this section and give students the one-on-one help they

BLUESTREAK editorialpolicy

The Trojan Bluestreak exists to inform, persuade and entertain its readers concerning topics of importance. The newspaper recognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment.

The Bluestreak operates as a public forum for student expression and the staff takes full responsibility for newspaper content and its ramifications.

The Trojan Bluestreak will not publish material considered to be legally unprotected speech, libel, obscenity copyright infringement,unwarranted invasion of privacy or material that could disrupt the educational environment.

The Bluestreak is a CSPA Gold Medalist and KSPA All-Kansas honor recipient.

May 11, 2012

kaitlynDEYOUNG&chrisJONES {editors-in-chief}

need to raise their scores.

Teachers are almost always willing to help out with educational needs for students; they deserve respect. Most of them go out of their way to ensure our educational needs are met. While some do more than others, most are willing to help students even further past the school times of 7:50-2:50.

The curriculum is rigorous at Andover, but it is for good reason as it is in an effort to prepare students for college. The basic requirements for college admission are constantly pressed by teachers, so the students are well aware of what to expect on the way to college.

Meanwhile, the teachers develop close relationships with students and become role models. The teachers care for the students not only in their academic life, but also in their personal lives, attempting to help in whatever way possible.

One issue, however, is favoritism. This has been a much talked about problem that a lot of students have to deal with at some point.

Favoritism is dealt with all over the world yet it appears to be the main source of frustration with students at Andover. There have been cases in which students who are seniors feel the administration was not even aware of them even though they were involved with numerous school activities.

Everybody should be given the same amount of attention, as everyone matters the same.

Overall, throughout the past school year, relationships have been built and students have achieved great things through the staff and administration at Andover High School. The school is doing great things and building great young people for the future. ryanLAKE {opinion editor}

kelseyDICK {business manager}

trinaBHATTARAI {senior writer}

hollyHEIRONIMUS {copy chief}

jacobHIGHFILL {photo editor}

katieSCHNEIDER {design editor}

robynHERBERT {writing coach}

chadHAMMAN {web managing editor}

kathrynSILL {senior writer}

ryanMINEAR {sports editor}

laurenQUAM {fun editor}

henryHOOK {pop culture editor} edenVIERTHALER {DPS editor} alexHERNANDEZ {asst. DPS editor} tjRIGG {page editor} katherineHARTLEY {news editor} samuelLEE {illustrator} alexDURANO {asst. web editor}

{staffers} abbyBRADSHAW alexLEFF claireCHRISTOPHERSON chaseLEMMONS alyssaFRIEND hebaMADI alyssaGOODMAN caleMINEAR jessicaGRIFFIN stephanieMUNSON katherineHARTLEY haileyPURDY jordanHERNANDEZ mariaSTANLEY brookeHILBERT zachSYRIOS brookeLEATHERMAN garrettWOLF

kristinBAKER {adviser}

Teachers deserve respect, recognition for hard work

RYAN {lake} The complaints teachers do not make enough money for their work continue to rise as the state continuously cuts teacher salaries, and yet, they remain the same helpful leaders as they did in the past.

It has come to my attention a very large lack of respect for the teachers at Andover. I know it is wrong to say everyone acts like this, but generally speaking, we do not show them the respect that most deserve.

In all, the teachers at Andover are amazing. Most of them go out of their way to ensure our educational needs are met. While some do more than others, most are willing to help students well before the bell rings to start as well as end the day.

It comes as no surprise in the state of the economy people are concerned about their finances, regardless of a few cuts here and there. It is no surprise

making less money for the same job is frustrating, but it is a job, and in this economy that is all that matters.

I have attended schools in the past where, frankly, the teachers do not seem to care about the students’ education. Some teachers biggest concern is to get the paycheck for the time they spend at school and that’s all.

The majority of teachers at Andover are different.

There are a few who slide under the radar, doing the minimum to keep their job as a teacher, but for the most part, the teachers seem to truly care about the students’ well being.

Relationships also go deeper than just on an educational level. Students spend a lot of time with teachers and ultimately, the relationship grows between the two.

In that closeness students develop with the teachers, they look out for students’ future, and the decisions made in life. There are about three or four teachers at the school I feel I can go to and ask for their help comfortably, whether it is an outside or inside of school issue.

The fact is, our teachers go through a lot at Andover and there is a great deal of disrespect to much of the staff. I know that some of them may do things that we as students find to be annoying or unnecessary, but it is all for the good of our academic standing both

present and future.

These teachers work long hours for less pay every year. This would be the equivalent to working a job for the same hours and learning they are going to get a pay cut for the year.

Nobody would like to work for less money, yet, these Andover teachers still come to school every day, most with a smile on their face, and manage to teach and educate each of us. They deserve our respect.

Students need to understand that although teachers may be tough on us and not cut students breaks on certain assignments, they do it to prepare us for what lies ahead in our lives. That is the point of school: to educate and guide.

If it were not for the teachers we have had over the years in our lives, we certainly would be a lot less mature and incapable of the things we do today in our everyday lives.

With that, I just encourage all students to show their appreciation for their teachers. Some may not care, however, some will care greatly and appreciate the words you have to say to them. They go through a lot and a simple act of kindness from you can translate into a smile on someone else’s face.

Everybody deserves chance to be noticed by others as people

DEVIN{blose} Editor’s Note: This is a fictional column by guest columnist Devin Blose meant to make students’ think about their treatment of others.

When I walk through the doors of our school, it feels like my ears are filled with hearing about “who did this” or “who did what” and “why he and/or she should have done it this way, instead of reacting this way”, that create too many rumors that have gone through this week. I have seen and heard too many things that make me sick, and cause me to question the student body here and what they find important.

There are things so irrelevant and unimportant, and it aggravates me people spend so much time on something that they will forget in a week. I love people and listening to them, but the drama of teenagers is absolutely ridiculous.

Whatever happened to self-respect? The things teenagers do today have so much influence on their tomorrow. I look around and see so much potential going down the drain due to negative influences from their peers and surroundings.

For example, there was this sweet girl roaming down the hallway trying to make it to class. She slumped over with the posture similar to that of a guy who had just gone through back surgery and she the face of abandonment.

She looked at me, and looking into her beauti-

ful, light hazel eyes, she gave me the look as if she needed me. The only thing I could have done before she walked away was to simply smile back at her, attempting to make her feel as if she were important to me. But as soon as I made that gesture, she glanced down again and went on into her day.

Another time in a more surreal experience, I walked into the commons area where all lunch is held and where everyone in the school seemed to be centered at. Standing in the middle of this area, I could see several things going on in less than a second. Students chatting it up, blowing off steam from the previous hour in which they endured.

They were the kids who always wanted to get the food first, so they dashed to the front of the line to pick and choose their fake and stale lunch for the day. Then there were the other kind of kids; the ones that seemed to not care much about anything at all.

I could see them leave and not get back until lunch had ended.

Everybody had their own table groups; jocks, theatre people, smart people, less-intelligent people, the sketchy-looking people, popular girls, quiet girls, foreign exchange students, and all different types of genres throughout the area.

Finally when the groups had all sat down and started talking about their latest gossip and seemingly important news about what happened in their day, a freshman boy just finished paying for his lunch.

He was very small in stature and seemed shy. He was looking at each different table hoping there was somewhere he could sit down.

He took a deep sigh, like he had been in this same situation many times before, and headed toward his locker section. He sat down alone and began eating his lunch. Nobody noticed him, nobody seemed to care.

When he finished eating his lunch, he still lay

there with his tray in his lap. He seemed to be in deep thought about something and then a tear shed down his face, landing on the blue tray. Nobody noticed, nobody seemed to care…then the bell rang.

He wiped his tears off of his polo shirt and continued onto his next class.

Later that day, when school was out, I saw him again. I asked somebody about him, but he said he had only seen him once and did not really know him.

He was walking toward the road, but then stopped.

He looked up at the sky and started to scream.

Anger and rage had started flowing through this boy, and after bawling and crying, his breath had come to its last. He stepped onto the road and a semi-truck hit the boy. Hearing the brakes slam and hearing people scream, everybody noticed and everybody cared.

The boy died the instant the truck touched him.

I too was crying and screaming toward the sky, bawling and saying things I could have never imagined would come out of my mouth.

I turned toward the school and thought of the place as hell. I never would again step into that place because I was disgusted of the people in it and what they easily could have done to make this boy live on.

He was only 15-years-old and just wanted someone to notice him…so he did something that would make everybody notice him.

I finally went home; I felt like I was driving for days and days on each block. When I arrived, I went to sleep.

After I woke up, I sat at my computer and typed this up. Whoever is reading this now, please give everybody a chance to be noticed. It could go a long way for someone down the road. God bless you.

May 11, 2012

11

{breaking it down}

Of the approximately 800 children in the Andover USD 385 school district, a rather miniscule portion is considered economically disadvantaged.

According to the Kansas State Department of Education website, 86.39 percent of the high school is considered not economically disadvantaged, while 13.61 percent is deemed economically disadvantaged.

“There are probably 60 kids in the building who truly come from a disadvantaged home,” Principal Bob Baier said. “The students who are considered economically disadvantaged are students who qualify for free and reduced lunches.”

The Andover School District is considered a middle to high-income school lacking in disadvantaged youths.

“To buy a house and to live in the Andover School District is fairly expensive,” counselor Sue Coffman said. “That is going to keep some of the economically disadvantaged students from attending school here.

We also do not allow out of district students to attend here, so you have to buy a house and pay the taxes.”

Associate Superintendent Andy Koenigs said the 13.61 percent demographic is well below the state average of nearly 40 percent. Both positives and negatives come from such a high rate of non-economically disadvantaged households.

“Andover has a climate of high expectations,” Koenigs said.

Because many parents in the district have a college education, they push their students to do better in school.

“A child coming into school here is encouraged to be college bound, and that is definitely a plus for us,” Baier said. “The kids in general have a different attitude or motivation.”

Coffman said the population makes for better parental support.

“They are here to volunteer and are fairly easy to get in touch with,” Coffman said. “There is always some that you wish you had better support from, but that is true everywhere.”

The drawback, according to Baier and Coffman, is the lack of diversity, culture or knowledge economically disadvantaged people do exist.

“Diversity is good because you learn a lot,” Coff-

man said. “The more you are around people that are different than you, the more you can learn about yourself, others and society.”

Baier said he wants students in the building to understand the world is full of disadvantaged.

“We have our own little island here in Andover High that is full of pretty advantaged people. The real world has a lot of disadvantaged and that can come as a reality check when kids go out and run into a lot of people that cannot afford what they may be able to afford,” Baier said. Additionally found on the Kansas State Department of Education site, USD 259’s South High in Wichita has almost the opposite statistics of the Andover district: 73.15 percent economically disadvantaged and 26.85 percent not economically disadvantaged.

“The Andover poverty level is fairly low compared to other districts,” Koenigs said.

Wichita East High, part of USD 259, has 67.21 percent of economically disadvantaged students, and 32.79 percent of non-economically disadvantaged. The boundaries of this high school border USD 385 to the west.

To calculate these numbers, Baier said schools send information gathered through enrollment to the state department.

“It is the total people living in the home divided by the salary,” Baier said. “It does not have to be just family.”

Due to this fact, citizens in Andover have developed a bit of a stereotype, although according to Koenigs all schools hold a certain stereotype.

“Andover is probably viewed by others as an affluent suburban school district,” Koenigs said.

The question of whether or not the stereotype is valid is open to opinion.

“Is it a stereotype? A little bit. Is it accurate? Probably a little bit. Is it factual? Probably to a point,” Baier said. “Our kids grow up differently.”

The ever-changing economy has impacted lifestyle, though. According to Koenigs, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students has risen from eight percent to 13 percent in the past four years.

“I would say the economy has affected everybody,” Coffman said. “It has put pressure on people

JUST THE

FACTS

MA’AM May 11, 2012

that was not there before.”

An example of the economy being a stressor on children is if a parent is laid off at a job. “[Students] are always used to dad or mom going to work, providing and having the paycheck,” Baier said. “As a father and a husband, it would be very difficult to sit at home every day trying to find a job. I am sure my stress level would be way up. The children who have gone through that have had it hard; it is a real eye-opening experience. Maybe they see the value of a dollar a little bit more.”

Actions are performed behind the scenes to assist struggling families or children. Enrollment fees are reduced or sometimes waved entirely. The fees run $75, not including various add-ons.

“The counselors know that if a child needs tennis shoes for gym, then they come see me, and I have a group of parents that I contact,” Baier said. “If we need shelter, clothing or anything, these parents always step up, and they can provide.”

Living in an area of some wealth, those who are economically disadvantaged may have increased stress levels.

“When all the people that you know have cars and they seem to have money to spend on whatever they want to spend it on like nice clothes or electronic stuff, it can be hard,” Coffman said.

Baier also understands this feeling students may have.

“They have a job and are not working for fun,” Baier said. “They are working for money so they can help with bills, or they are trying to get to college. I think those kids bear an unnecessary source of stress in that they try to keep up with other kids.”

In general, Koenigs thinks wealth should not be a monstrous issue to people in the district.

“I do not think people should stereotype students based solely on income,” Koenigs said. “Every student should be respected for [his or her] individual talents.”

edenVIERTHALER

Teens 16% FOOD 34% and their CLOTHING spending 22% money... ENTERTAINMENT what goes 28% where?

OTHER

Money Management Works

12

Small portion of students considered economically disadvantaged

24% 21% 19% 19% 12%

of AHS Students say they spend the most money on clothes

of AHS Students say they spend the most money on other purchases

of AHS Students say they spend the most of their money on entertainment of AHS Students say they spend the most of their money on gas

of AHS Students say they spend the most money on food

* information from a survey of 100 AHS students

Students take up part-time jobs to earn money For several juniors and seniors, they add working at a part-time job as part of their after-school activities.

“I work because I need the money to pay for the fun stuff in college and for movies during the school year. My parents do not make me work, but they push me to and I like working,” junior Jessica Whitfill said.

Whitfill works weekdays in the summer at Grene Vision Group as a Medical Records Assistant. For senior Jess Turley, working has given her the freedom to manage her own money.

“I work at Scooter’s Coffehouse during the school year, and during the summer I work as a lifeguard at the Terradyne Country Club pool. I like having my money and being able to do what I want with it,” Turley said.

Turley works to pay for other expenses too.

“My parents do no make me work, but I have to pay for my car and gas,” Turley said.

Senior Melanie Daovannary who works at Livingston’s Diner works to make herself more independent.

“Working helps you organize your schedule better and shapes you into a well rounded person,” Daovannary said.

While Daovannary feels it makes her more

responsible to work, she finds working takes away from time she could spend with friends.

“I have to miss certain school activities because of work sometimes,” Daovannary said.

Along with the time management and social skills she has gained from her job, she also has learned to manage her money.

“I pay for my phone bill. I am going to pay for college. My parents let me do whatever I want with my paycheck,” Daovannary said.

Junior Alli Mavis decided she wanted a job about a year ago. She now works at Abuelo’s.

“Working now has given me experience. I have something under my belt. In September, I had been working for five months and I was named Employee of the Month. It has made me a hard worker,” Mavis said.

Mavis has also learned to be wise with her paycheck.

“I get paid every two weeks. When you get your first paycheck you want to just blow through it and then you learn you cannot do that because you will not have money. I learned to buy things that will benefit me,” Mavis said.

Mavis pays for gas for her car every two weeks when she gets her paycheck and also uses her money

for online shopping for clothes.

Mavis enjoys the friends she has made through her job.

“It is like having a second family. I work with people who are not in high school and do it for a living so you have to be mature,” Mavis said.

Junior Adam Pate also works. He started working his freshman year of high school because his parents made him, but after a few months of working he started to enjoy it and worked because he wanted to.

“I work at Terradyne Country Club as a valet. I am on the car staff,” Pate said.

Pate finds that while he enjoys making the money, working also consumes his free time.

“You have to be willing to work outside of your social life and be willing to take extra shifts,” Pate said.

With his job Pate pays for his car insurance and for clothes and other amenities, like going to the movies with friends. Pate enjoys the person that working has shaped him into.

“Working has established a good work ethic for me,” Pate said. “I will carry that throughout my life.”

kathrynSILL May 11, 2012

13

{in-depth}

14

Recent tornado prompts residents to prepare for future severe weather During storm season, people are required to take several precautions in order to stay safe.

Tornado season occurs during the months of April, May and June according to the National Weather Service. Tornadoes can strike anywhere at any time, but it is more common for them to strike between the hours of 3 and 9 p.m. Principal Bob Baier receives updates from the National Weather Service on the weather forecast each day.

“Each morning, I get a notification from the National Weather Service detailing the weather of the day,” Baier said. “From there, our bosses at the district office monitor weather conditions for the day. We all have the weather easily accessible on our computers just so we can monitor conditions.”

In addition to monitoring the weather online, two weather radios are in the main office; one in Baier’s office, and the other on the desk of secretary Debbie Bollig.

In the event of a tornado threat, Baier said the school would follow the usual tornado procedures and would take some extra precautions.

“The kids would go to the interior rooms for tornado shelter which are all located on the North end of the building,” Baier said. “Additionally, the staff would have the students against the walls for extra protection.”

If a tornado threat was to strike during after school athletic or activity event, the circumstances for taking shelter is slightly different.

“We focus more on getting the kids to safety and take them to the closest possible tornado shelter,” Baier said.

In either event, Baier said the Andover Police Department would give the “all clear” to the school. However, the decision to allow students to leave their shelter could have to be made by the administration.

“If there was damage, the police department would take over things and would give the all clear,” Baier said. “If they were not available, the administration and our bosses would have to make the decision about when to let students clear the shelter.”

While the school has a specific plan for a tornado threat, a flood threat would have different

May 11, 2012

circumstances.

“In the event of a flood, we would send the kids home long before the threat really affected the area,” Baier said. “It is just like with snow storms, we would send kids home before the real danger hit. The kids may think they know how to drive in that situation, but they don’t so we would send them home to ensure their safety.

During a severe weather threat, meteorologists are hard at work reporting on the storms.

KSN Assistant Chief Meteorologist Mark Bogner is often in the KSN PinPoint Weather Lab working behind the scenes while another meteorologist reports on the weather.

“There is so much to do while someone is on air,” Bogner said. “The main job is to monitor information coming in from the National Weather Service, law enforcement, spotters, chasers and viewers.”

At the same time, Bogner and the other meteorologists work to get the information to viewers.

“We take the information we get and pass it on to the on-air meteorologist and enter as much as possible in the ticker at the bottom of the screen,” Bogner said.

According to Bogner, people can take numerous steps into staying safe during a severe weather threat.

“For flooding (the number one killer) a person needs to get to higher ground and not drive through water over the road,” Bogner said. “For lightning (the number two killer) a person needs to get inside a substantial building or a vehicle.

For tornadoes, a person needs to get to the basement and get under something sturdy. For hail and strong straight-line winds, a person needs to get inside a substantial, reinforced building and stay away from windows.”

Bogner said the PinPoint weather team learns of alerts issued by the National Weather Service immediately after they are announced. According to Bogner, the magnitude of a weather threat determines whether or not the entire weather team would be required to be at the station.

“If it is only a handful of warnings, it can be covered by the meteorologist on duty,” Bogner

said. “If it looks like it will require frequent cutins, two are needed, and if it looks like we are going into ‘wall-to-wall’ coverage, it is all hands on deck.”

In the event of a tornado striking the area around the KSN news station in downtown Wichita, the team would do their best to stay on the air.

“If it was near, we would stay on the air as long as possible and as long as we had electricity,” Bogner said. “If the electricity is knocked out, we are out of business. If it was a direct hit, we would stay on the air as long as safely possible and then run to our basement, and get under something sturdy.”

Bogner has worked some 18-hour shifts while covering severe weather and said doing so can be extremely tiring for him. He said the day after a storm, he usually sleeps, but also considers what he could have done if death has occurred.

“If life has been lost, there is a lot of secondguessing,” Bogner said. (I ask myself ) ‘is there something more I could have said or done that would have made that person react in a safer way?’”

In his time as an administrator, Baier has experienced a tornado threat during the school day three times. He has had to cancel school activities due to severe weather threats, but said he has to do it.

“I don’t like to cancel things, but living in Kansas all of my life, I know that the weather is bad,” Baier said. “I just want to make sure nothing happens to our kids.”

Baier said during the three times he has experienced a tornado threat, he has felt uneasy because tornadoes are so unpredictable.

“I was panicked on the inside, but I tried not to show it to the kids,” Baier said. “We are in a really large building and if it was hit, I can’t imagine the injuries that could occur. Ultimately, I just want to be sure the kids and the staff are safe.”

tjRIGG

about the PICTURES

On April 14th, a tornado came through Wichita and caused some significant damage. Trailers at Pinaire Mobile Home Park were damaged, and a total of nine buildings at Spirit AeroSystems also suffered major damage. photos by TJ Rigg

Tornado sweeps through Wichita, causes damage When storms rip through Kansas, they can have deadly results if the proper safety precautions are not taken.

“We were listening to the radio, they were basically telling us that if we were not in shelter, we were going to die,” junior Josh Schwab said.

The tornado warnings on April 14 ripped through Wichita destroying homes and causing $146 million in damage, according to early estimates by the city.

“My dad went into full survival mode,” senior Zoe Hays said. “He made sure everyone, all seven kids, plus my parents, had shoes and flashlights.”

It was just the second time that the Storm Prediction Center issued a high-risk warning more than 24 hours in advance.

For Schwab, who just moved here from Kentucky, it was his first tornado experience.

“We had one really little [tornado] in Kentucky,” Schwab said. “It blew over a soccer goal.”

Around 10:30 in the evening, the storms that would eventually hit Wichita crossed the OklahomaKansas border.

“We heard the storm was getting worse,” Hays said. “So we gathered our two dogs and one cat and all the kids piled onto my bottom bunk. My dad laid two mattresses over all of us.”

The tornado affected 3,481 people and 165 businesses. Sixty-six homes and 11 businesses had major damage. However, there were no fatalities in Kansas.

“The tornado passed over the intersection near-

est to us,” Schwab said. “There was no damage to our house but my dog was the most freaked out of all.”

The warnings lasted for several hours, leaving nearly 9,000 without power.

“We lost power for a little bit,” Hays said. “We found it helpful to just talk about other things, listen to music, that way we didn’t think too much about it.”

The warnings far in advance may have contributed to the lack of injuries despite the massive number of tornadoes on the ground that night.

“We live in Kansas now,” Schwab said. “You have to expect tornadoes. They happen.”

robynHERBERRT

May 11, 2012

15

College Destinations

>> Arizona

University of Arizona Bryce Ayers

>> Arkansas

University of Arkansas James Heinrich

>> Colorado

Colorado State University William Aniello

>> Georgia

Kennesaw State University Melissa Douglas

>> California >> Kansas

Azusa Pacific University

Allen County CC

Matthew Maumalanga

Ben Loflin

Courtney Gaskill

Callie Feltner

Los Angeles City College

16

May 11, 2012

Dallas Fiszel

Brown Mackie CC

Butler County CC

Brandon Bandasack Nicholas Beeman Whitney Black Matt Bohannan Kaleb Cash Jordan Combs Stacie Coomer Jenna Dick Ronald Dubus Noah Duethman Rachel Fritts Tyler Goering Faythe Grinstead Brandi Hall Paige Hamilton Ian Hoskinson Trevor Hybsha Lauren Jackson

Mason Jenkins Justin Lawhon Gabriel Little Clara Loewen Chase Martens Ellie McDonald Jose Melendez Nathaniel Meyer Whitley Morris Erik Nygaard Timothy Penrod Alicia Renich April Richardson Heather Richerson Bradley Schmitz Chelsea Shelton Zackary Starbird Luke Walker

Cloud Community College

Caitlin Van Epps

Emporia State University

Emily Alexander

Fort Hays State Lucas Hinlop Ashley McQuilken

Joshua Sprenkel Kaylie Towles

Friends University

Zoe Hays

Johnson County CC Jared Bishop Mark Boswell Alex Cox

Joseph Patrick William Quiring Austin Valdivia

Laura Sellew Tony Supancic Abby Teinert Eden Vierthaler Chelsea Wettig Alex Wreath Chelsea Yingling

Mahsa ZareMaivan

Krysta Horning

Hannah Howe

Pratt Community College

Ashley Veatch

University of Kansas

Patricia Ablah Ryan Beck Kyle Bishop Devin Blose Christine de Leon Kelsey Dick Sara Easterwood Beatrice Ferenc Jonathan Gepner Audra Hansen Robyn Herbert Bradley Hess Blake Karnes Glenn Karnes

Katie Schneider

Oklahoma State University Ben Blizzard Matthew DeKoning

Washburn University

Wichita Area Technical College

Thane Bulmer Dakota Konecny William Haver-Strong Blake Tidwell

Wichita State University

Marcus Baysinger Clayton Cloud Kyle Consolver Kansas State University Salem Cusick Rachel Arbuckle Jessica Morrison Melanie DaovanSamuel Baker Jonathan Nye nary Anna Brown Caleb Perkins Tiffany Dinh Megan Carry Emily Pickert Joel Easterwood Kimberly Clark John Pistotnik Natalia Farfan Evan Clopine Madison Randall Sergio Farfan Kasey Criser Katelyn Rose Alyssa Friend Lindsay Frederick Robert Scharping Haley Grinstead Alex Grommet Madelaine Smira Camille Hantla Holly Herionimus Zachary Smith Bao Ho Julia Hilts Lauren Sokolosky Stephen Hoover Ryan Hoover Zachary Sutton Matthew Kaiser Nikki Klaassen Dakota Swanson Wyotech Cody LaCrone Connor Syrios Bobbie Copp Hanna Larsen Michelle Ziska Katelyn Larsen

Oklahoma City University Katherine Hobble

University of Oklahoma Kaitlyn Deyoung

Kristin Morgan

>> Oregon

University of Oregon Chris Jones

>> Pennsylvania

Shelby Karst Sarah Klun Chandler KowUniversity of Pittsburgh alski Anthony Lara Jeewon Lee Lu-ling Liao Maha Madi Garrett Maness Robert Martin South Dakota State University Chandler Payne Hunter Weddington TJ Rigg Megan Roser Jessica Turley Cayla Vaivada Eden Zarkeshan Texas Christian University Chad Hamman

>> New York

Rochester Institute of Technology

Ryan Lake Casey Satran Nathaniel Mann Madison McMinn Melissa Mihelic Jack Miller Cedarville University Melissa Molina Michael Morris Kathryn Sill William Murfin Robert Peare Alex Pechin Kieran Ritchie Oklahoma Christian University Andrew RodriKelsey Carter Renee Pedersen guez Audrey Meisch Madidie Scholfield

>> Ohio

>> Oklahoma

>> South Dakota >> Texas

>> Wyoming

University of Wyoming Colin Bailey

Military

Adam Hilbert

Undecided

Joshua Hayes Quinn Kenyon Drew Pierce

Forrest Scott Zanna Stephan David Wheeler

Catherine Heinrich Anthony Bega Kaysha Curless

AmyLeigh Enns Bradley Nelson Charles Pike

Other

May 11, 2012

17

Highlighting the

Boys’ Golf

O

ver the past few years, Andover has experienced success on the golf course from placing seventh at state in 2011 to winning state in 2009.

Through that time the senior class has been there to experience the success and grow as a strong class.

“They all have years of experience so that they perform well in pressure situations,” junior Chad Phillips said.

The senior class consists of seven members who include returners and brand new members to the team.

“A large senior class makes it fun because typically the seniors are the more experienced golfers,” senior Ryan

ryanMINEAR Hoover said. “That’s not always the case though. It also hurts though because the team is going to lose 3-4 varsiyplayers next year.”

Head coach Ryan Harshaw thinks the development the members have show can be attributed to their willingness to practice on their own.

“Several have improved a lot of three years,” Harshaw said. “Golf is one game you get out what you put in. A lot of kids have practiced on their own to help themselves improve.”

Baseball

A

fter finishing 6-15 the previous two seasons, pitching and timely hitting have led the Trojans to an 11-7 record and a shot at post-season success.

As a team, they have a team earned run average of 4.75 and are hitting for a combined .306 batting average, with 104 runs scored and four total home runs.

Junior Zach Baker has led the team in hitting with a .407 batting average, 24 hits, 13 runs batted in, and two home runs on the season.

Sophomore Bryant Klusener has headed the team pitching staff with a team-leading 2.10 earned run average, eight

chrisJONES strikeouts, and has only allowed an opposing batting average of .157 in 20 innings pitched.

What has hurt the tean is the first game in each doubleheader matchup.

They are 4-5 in the first game of a double-header, while having a 7-2 record in the second game.

The team will most likely lock down the third seed in the regional tournament, and the playoffs will begin next week.

Over the past two seasons, the team has had a losing record and not much hope in the playoffs, but the team mood has changed and winning is on their mind.

Girls’ Soccer

W

ith a strong, winning record of 10-4-1, the lady Trojans have proved to be a success this season. Also, the girls have managed to remain undefeated in their conference.

“It feels amazing to be undefeated in our conference,” senior Peach Ablah said. “Coming into the season I never imagined us being ranked this high or having this good of a record.”

Along with their winning season, the girls have built a strong team bond. It is clear that the year the girls have gotten closer with each other than ever before.

“Our team is the closest we have ever been,” senior Laura Sellew said. “The strength of our bond and friendship

about the PICTURES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT TOP TO BOTTOM

18

Senior John Pistotnik strikes a put during a golf meet. Several team members said the team has experienced a great growth. zachSYRIOS

May 11, 2012

A tennis player hits the ball during a tennis team practice. Junior Steven Wegner hopes to bring great things to the team. zachSYRIOS

caleMINEAR

has definitely been huge for our performance on the pitch.”

This has been a year of success for the Lady Trojans.

Senior Shea Van Epps has decided to continue playing her favorite game by signing to play at Cloud County Community College.

Now Van Epps just wants to spend her time improving herself in preparation for her first college season.

“I plan on training with Coach Lemons and the boys soccer team this summer,” Van Epps said.

The Trojans could not have found a better note to end on with a winning season, tight bond and a player signed to play for Cloud County. 2012 will go down as a year of success for Coach Lemons and the lady Trojans.

Junior Treven Kent pitches the ball during a baseball game. The team has a record of 11-7, and the potentital for postseason success. alexDURANO

Freshman Jaylyn Agnew hurdles during a track practice. This year, the team had a new coach, Ashley Smith, who replaced coach Adam Melichar.

zachSYRIOS

The girls’ soccer team plays hard during a game. The team has had a successful record of 10-4-1. hebaMADI

Two members of the softball team congratulate each other on a play. The team finished the season with a striking record of 11-12. alexDURANO

A member of the swimming team dives into the pool during a swim meet. The team has felt they have done better than previous years. abbyBRADSHAW

e Spring Sports Boys’ Tennis

S tion.

uccess as an underclassman brings pressure to continue and improve on it as an upperclassman. After a tenth place finish at State, junior Steven Wegner hopes to make a return to the top of the competi-

Wegner’s love for tennis led him to be a vital part of the team once he started as a freshman.

“Freshman year I played JV at first, but later moved up to varsity and was able to letter and be part of the regionals team,” Wegner said. “ Head coach Mark Cross also has noticed Wegner’s continuing improvement.

“He has impressed me with his improvements he has made since last year,” Cross said.

Wegner plays singles on the team and went to state in 2011 where he placed tenth.

“It feels great to be playing against some of the best players in the state and to know that you qualified to be one of them,” Wegner said.

Wegner also thinks this team is the best he has played on in his high school career.

“My freshman year we had a pretty good team but so far this year is our best,” Wegner said.

Track and Field

F

or senior Kimmie Clark and freshman Jaylyn Agnew, finishing in first is no big deal.

“Having to do high jump is a pretty laid back job,” Clark said.

Clark has been doing high jump since seventh grade and has continued to like doing it. Clark and her competitor, Agnew, have been pushing each other to new heights since the season started.

Agnew broke Clark’s record, which was 5’ 6”, and set the new record at 5’ 7” until Agnew broke her own record at 5’ 9”.

Agnew and Clark train together during practice by do-

Softball

T

he softball team finishes with a .478, with a striking record of 11-12 and a state ranking of -8.

“We never gave up on our defense all year long.”

Sophomore Ashley Cornelison said.

Both teams are trying to come off an upsetting loss Friday and take home the W Mondays last game.

“Mondays game is a make up game because of the rain at the start of the season, I know we’re capable of winning” Cornelison said

caleMINEAR

yousefKRICHATI

ing plyometrics, stairs, and sprints. Agnew works everyday on her strength and even practices during the summer. Agnew has been doing high jump since seventh grade.

Coach Ashley Smith think’s Agnew is a hard working and coachable athlete who doesn’t complain about what she is told.

“She’s pretty awesome,” Smith said.

In the past meet at the Goddard invitational, Agnew and Clark finished first and second respectively in the high jump event.

The AVCTL league meet will take place on May 11th at Maize high school.

chaseLEMMONS The team recently blew out north in their own field 140, and they hope to have success against newton.

“We just want to win another game, especially since it’s our last.” Cornelison said. “We just have to do what we do… our best” The team will be playing Newton, who they were scheduled to play on March 30th.

“Playing this game tonight is actually a good thing, I think we’re better prepared.” Cornelison said.

Girls’ Swimming

I

ntense races and the sounds of furious kicking and loud splashes is about the come to an end with the girls’ swim team finishing their triumphant season.

“We did better than last year,” freshmen Monica Goldberg said. “We won most of the meets that we have swam at.”

While the season is not over yet, the girls and the coaches are looking forward to state coming up. According to assistant coach Rachel Neibling, the team has several girls qualified for both relay races and individual events.

“The girls are doing really well,” Neibling said. “They

have won five of their meets so far and we are really excited for state and expect to do well.”

When the season does come to an end, only positive thoughts can be thought of toward next year’s season.

“I can’t wait to improve my times,” Goldberg said.

On top of having a better season than last year’s, the girls have had a chance to relax and have fun during the season as well. “[My favorite part of the season] is playing water-polo,” Goldberg said. “We would play it after we won a meet; it would get violent sometimes but it was fun.”

May 11, 2012

19

The cost of

COMPETING

Students, families sacrifice funds for club sports In today’s age of athletics, the importance of a teen’s self-dedication to a sport has seemed to increase if one wanted to even think of competing in college.

Now at a child’s early age, young parents are finding themselves pressured to decide if they want to have their child to be a specialized athlete by placing them in a club.

“I’m not a fan of it,” baseball coach Chris Weidert said. “I don’t think the athletes need to be a specialized athlete before college.”

For those who have committed to competing year-round, compete with some painful risks.

“They can easily get hurt if they compete all year round,” Weidert said.

Parents of young children need to keep things like these in mind. Parent of a 3-year-old girl and swim team coach Rachael Neibling has already felt the pressure of training her child, but she hopes to not build her into a specialized athlete quite yet.

“Our goal is to expose our kid as much as we can and let her choose her sport,” Neibling said. “We want her to choose to do a club sport as well .”

20

May 11, 2012

For teens who have joined a club sport the expenses are extreme. From sport to sport, the yearly cost can range from $1,700 to $6,000.

An estimated 20 percent of athletes are involved in a club sport and for many of these athletes, they started competing on a club team at a young age.

For the majority of Andover athletes they started in either third or fourth grade but for sophomore Trojanettes Kali Richardson and Ashleigh Richards, they both started dancing at age three.

The girls who started dancing at such a young age both have been placed into dance classes by their mothers.

“My mom put me in dance classes since I danced around the house all of the time,” Richardson said.

The risk of putting a child in a competitive sport at such a young age is that they may end up not even liking the sport.

“When I was younger my mom put me in gymnastics and I absolutely hated it,” junior Elizabeth Carro said.

Although Carro did not like gymnastics, she be-

came passionate about cheerleading when she was a fourth grader. For many of these athletes they ended up joining a club that was for a sport they loved.

“When I had finished swim lessons at age eight, I just had a desire to swim,” freshman Meg Plank said.

“I never wanted to get out of the water, so my parents and I looked into and considered the whole ‘club swimming year-round’ thing.”

Committing to a club team is a major task and athletes will find themselves planning their weekends and summers around their sport.

“I have to dedicate almost every weekend in the spring and summer to basketball tournaments,” sophomore Christian DeYoung said.

Also, these athletes have to sacrifice more than just their time.

“I have to make many sacrifices such as my social life, school work, money and health,” sophomore volleyball player Sydney Staehr said. “Not getting much sleep from being so busy isn’t too healthy and my grades slip a little bit but mainly giving up my weekends for those six months.”

The toll is very tough on the athletes but there is also a toll on the parents and siblings. Often athletes lose valuable time with their families.

“On weekends I usually don’t see my siblings if we have a tournament or game,” sophomore soccer player Ana Dilkes said. “It’s sometimes very hard on the families.”

Parents of the athletes also have to put up an effort with their children for these club sports.

“My mom has to help me fix most of my costumes and she has to help me sew my pointe shoes, which can be very time consuming,” Richardson said.

Many of them also have to try to find time to get off of work so they can get to see their child compete.

“They [my parents] have to miss work, pay for all of the traveling and all of the other expenses,” junior baseball player Zach Baker said.

What the parents do though is very important for their children. Putting up with all the sacrifices pays off for their child, leaving them to be very grateful.

“My mom has always sacrificed a lot for me being able to go to KDA (Kansas Dance Academy) and be a part of it and I will always be so thankful for her giving me this opportunity,” senior Rachel Arbuckle said.

After all of the sacrifices and fees to pay, the simple question of “why?” remains. Of every athlete asked of the question ‘do you hope to play this sport in college?,’ all of them said yes.

“I chose to join a club sport because I got really focused on a goal which is to become a division one soccer player, so I knew what has to be done for me to accomplish that goal and I am taking the steps needed to reach it,” Dilkes said.

These athletes have all found it necessary to take

Swim

Basketball Volleyball

Baseball

$1,700 junior Zach Baker

$2,000 sophomore Ana Dilkes

$3,000 $3,000 sophomore Christian DeYoung

caleMINEAR

Dance

Athletes estimate annual cost of their club sport Soccer

part in these club sports in order to achieve success.

“It helps a lot and if you are serious about your sport it’s a great way to get better and get colleges looking at you,” Baker said.

For athletes a true path to success would be to compete against those who have had success.

“It is necessary if you are serious about moving forward, you need to be playing the best competition there is,” Dilkes said. “You need to challenge yourself and push yourself. “ The only question left is “Is this all enough?” The numbers of athletes in club sports are only becoming larger every year and the number of college athletes is staying the same.

Cheer

$5,000 $5,000 freshman Meg Plank

$6,000 senior Rachel Arbuckle

junior Elizabeth Carro

sophomore Sydney Staehr

316-267-5287 | HallsWater.com 339-CULL-11-Wichita-Sponsor-3.5x2-FA.indd 1

May 11, 2012

21

9/2/11 3:37:19 PM

Athletes #15 “It is both my football and basketball number, along with it being my graduation year danteBUTLER

#20

“Twenty was my brother’s football number, so I just wanted to keep the same one.” lauraSELLEW

#25

“One of my favorite players, Austin Rivers, wore it in high school.” joePATRICK

22

May 11, 2012

Numbers #14 “I have had the number since I was in kindergarten so I just wanted to keep it that way” alexDURANO

#12

“It’s my graduation year, and I wanted to keep that number throughout high school” benLOFLIN

#44

“Four has always been my number, so 44 was the next closest thing.” robertPEARE

Want a Brighter Smile?

Chris Mar, DDS Karen Lennon, DDS 1700 Waterfront Pkwy, Bldg. 400 316-687-2100

www.marandlennondentistry.com

We love new patients!

Save 50 %

on Whitening System when you mention this ad!

General & Cosmetic •

Relaxed & friendly atmosphere

1719 S. Hillside Wichita, KS 67211 (316)669-3262 open daily 10-9 noon-6 Sunday

Tony Durano CLU ChFC Andover. KS 316-733-1000 tony@tonydurano.com

Like a Good Neighbor State Farm is there.

May 11, 2012

23

Spring Fling

Students spend an afternoon off of class filled with fun Senior Trayte Boswell guards math teacher Brent Riedy. The student-staff basketball game occurred at the end of Spring Fling. Photo by Heba Madi Senior Robert Peare goes up for a lay-up, while math teacher Chad Wilmott complains to the referees. The staff went on to win against the students by three points. Photo by Zach Syrios Junior Jared Germann goes down the slide on the bounce obstacle course. Spring fling was held in the afternoon of April 23. Photo by Morgan Trekell

Freshmen Anthony Jackson and Christian Herrera race each other in the bungee run. The inflatables were a hit at spring fling this year. Photo

by Zach Syrios Sophomore Lizzie Sharping throws the ball in powder puff.

Powder puff took place during spring fling. The Senior girls ended up winning powder puff. Photo by Heba Madi

24

May 11, 2012