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Profiles
OLIVIA CERDA
STAFF WRITER
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Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, USA National Team MVP, McDonald’s All-American, two-time 4A State Champion and Louisville commit, senior Payton Verhulst has a well-decorated basketball reputation.
But there’s more to Verhulst than her basketball resume.
Verhulst is planning on continuing her education and basketball career at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, where she plans on majoring in special education.
“My little sister, Addy, she has epilepsy, and I was kind of the one who helped her when she was younger at school,” Verhulst said. “I was always her buddy whenever she started needing more help.”
Payton has gotten a head start on her major through the Peer Mentoring program offered at Miege.
“I know a lot of colleges don’t offer that type of support until junior year, and I just feel like that experience is really going to help me when I do begin those classes my junior year,” Verhulst said.
During Verhulst’s time as a peer mentor, she has worked both one-on-one and in a classroom setting by assisting math teacher Taryn Frank’s Algebra I class and working closely with freshman Lola Kernell in fine arts teacher Sarah McCambridge’s journalism class.
“I loved being with Payton, she always gave good advice, and it was really fun,” Kernell said. “We always had a lot of funny things going on.”
According to Verhulst, Peer Mentoring not only helped her grow her knowledge in special education, but also create new friendships.
“I still talk to Lola every day, it’s not just about learning how to teach and help them work in class, but also just building relationships with them outside of the classroom,” Verhulst said.
Whether it’s on the court or in the classroom, Verhulst continues to find ways to go above and beyond the standard. “Payton really has a kind heart and a great knowledge of how to work well with others and adapt to what is needed to be able to let that student learn in a style that works best for them,” learning resource director Mallorie Hurlbert said.
| OLIVIA CERDA
History in the Making
ISABELLA GUADAMUZ
STAFF WRITER
Will Calovich has an affinity for learning about history. His love of history began in middle school when he started learning about World War II, Ancient History and the Industrial Revolution.
“My love of history began when I was in the sixth grade,” Calovich said. “I loved learning about different concepts, inventions, and chain reactions that have occurred throughout history.”
Calovich said he enjoys learning about the impacts these events have had on modern-day society and hopes more people would appreciate history.
“I wish more people would appreciate world history. History might help people prevent mistakes that have already happened, and they help guide us in the future,” Calovich said.
This year, Calovich conducted a project on the original “Godzilla” movie. Calovich placed first at districts and state for National History Day in his category.
His project is titled “Gojira vs. Godzilla: Lost in Translation or Censored Communication.”
According to Calovich, he never knew how much he would have enjoyed learning all about history, but it has become a big part of his life.
“Try it out,” Calovich said. “Stick with it, and you might just realize how cool history really is.”
Saddle Up
ALENA GILLESPIE
STAFF WRITER
After picking up a book on horses in her elementary school’s library, senior Eden Cashman’s passion for riding horses began at age 10.
Looking up to her own horse trainers, Cashman has always had a desire to be one herself, she said.
“I really like working with horses and watching them progress as they get older and advance in their training,” Cashman said. “It is fulfilling to see all of that.”
For service work, Cashman shares her love for horses by volunteering at a therapeutic horse riding center to help kids and people with disabilities.
“It lets them have something that is fun to do, but also helps them with muscle strength,” Cashman said.
To prepare for the therapeutic riding sessions, Cashman helps the individuals by getting the horse ready, mounting them on the horse and either leading the horse or walking beside the horse to make sure the individual does not fall off.
“It is on the time of the person, so they still feel like they are in control and not just like you are leading them around,” Cashman said.
Cashman plans on majoring in Equestrian Science at William Woods University where she will take riding classes, prepare to be a trainer or riding instructor and teach some college level courses.
“I wanted to do something I knew I would enjoy,” Cashman said. “I just decided to go for it.”
Hungry for More
MARIA NGUYEN
STAFF WRITER
For senior Aidan Sands, the culinary arts have been a long time interest. It started at a young age with an appreciation for food and the culinary arts, which remained constant throughout Sands’ childhood.
“Since I was younger, I’ve just been surrounded by food my whole life,” Sands said. “I’ve just always liked eating, like a lot of people do.”
Family played a significant role in Sands’ taste for the culinary arts. Not only did Sands’ family provide support, they have impacted Sands’ diverse palate. “My mom has a lot of Italian influence, so that’s why spaghetti is my favorite food,” Sands said. “My favorite thing to make is also a pasta recipe that has garlic, shrimp and bacon.”
Sands’ appreciation for culinary skill continued into high school, and led him to take every foods class at Miege. However, for Sands, it doesn’t end there.
“I plan to go to Johnson County Community College,” Sands said. “I think I have a good chance over there, especially since my dad is the photography professor.”
Sands’ interest in the culinary arts will continue into college, proving that this long-time pastime still hasn’t gotten old.
“I love how there’s science or experimentation with food,” Sands said. “You can make one thing into something bigger than what it was.”
Pursuing the culinary arts is not without its challenges, as Sands is well aware, but even so, he plans to tackle them head-on.
“There’s a lot of critiquing,” he said. “You’ll be getting judged a lot for doing something wrong or doing something right. When you make something you think is good and people say otherwise, you just have to learn from that and keep going.”
| MARY-KATHRYN WERT
PASSING THE TORCH
Juniors Jacob Welsh and Lizzie Weixeldorfer observe the relays on herd day while keeping score and commentating. Both Welsh and Weixeldorfer won executive for their herds. | SARACYEWSKI SMITH
School elects new herd executives who take over at herd day
OLIVIA CERDA
STAFF WRITER
As the 2020-2021 school year comes to an end, the time of the eight current herd executives does too. Each herd member had the opportunity to vote for the junior they believe will lead their herd to success, and they did just that.
The student body voted for the new executives on April 19, and they also viewed the videos the candidates put together to campaign.
“I wanted to become an executive because I wanted to follow in my brother’s footsteps and wanted to make a lasting impact on the Rost Herd,” junior Lissy Fahlstrom said.
In some herds, the race for executive was so close that candidates lost by only one or two votes, according to the herd coordinators.
But in other cases, such as the Sister Martina, Reardon and Perrini herds only one junior ran for executive.
“I was nervous during the election because I knew it was a close race between me and Will [Anderson],” said junior Emily Lynn of the Millie Herd. “It’s also really nerve-wracking to put yourself out there like that without knowing what the outcome would be.”
Just like the year 2020, this year’s election was a memorable one. The original election date was April 16, but due to a system error that allowed seniors to vote, eligible students voted again three days later.
“The re-election made things very stressful, and I was still very nervous because I had to wait longer to hear the outcome,” junior Tylicki member Jacob Welsh said.
On April 23, the newest herd executives were put to the test while organizing a day for the entire school to participate for herd points.
“Organizing herd day and helping out was kind of hectic and it included a lot of spot-on thinking, but overall it turned out great,” said junior Lucas member Blake Allen, “It was both stressful and exciting, probably more exciting though just because it was my first time getting to help out with everything.”
While the most recent herd day was just a sneak peak to their senior year, the newest herd executives received words of wisdom by the current executives.
“My current herd exec, Ayden Greene, has just told me to make sure everything is communicated between the students and the teachers,” junior Reardon member Allie Burns said, “Make sure everyone can participate in some type of activity and make sure everyone has a good time.”
Bohaty- Maggie Latenser Lucas- Daisy Torres Martina- Merrin O’Connor Millie- Caroline Gyllenborg Perrini- Olivia Hayward Reardon- Ayden Greene Rost- Henry Coones Tylicki- Payton Verhulst Bohaty- Lizzie Weixeldorfer Lucas- Blake Allen Martina- Charles Cahalan Millie- Emily Lynn Perrini- Matthew Mohler Reardon- Allie Burns Rost- Lissy Fahlstrom Tylicki- Jacob Welsh
