Volume 6 issue 3

Volume 6

STUDENT LIFE

Issue 3

Student life..............2 Opinion...................3 Sports.....................4 Entertainment.........5 Feature...................6

CHS students participate in Veterans Memorial dedication page 2

thecometonline.com

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In This Issue

1501 W. 36th Street Chanute, Kansas 66720

AND THE

CHS collected 25 pints of blood at its annual blood drive. The blood obtained will save 75 lives.

Is Black Friday worth it?, page 3

Friday, November 15, 2013

‘JOSEPH

FYI

AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’ CAST

Netflix addiction, page 5

AND CREW SEEKING A

Lights Out Performance

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“Obviously it’s not ideal, but I know our actors have done a very good job of practicing in the dark...”

- David Cadwallader

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” Director

BY ALEXANDRA GWILLIM CLASS OF 2014

After being forced to practice with no lights the past several weeks, the Chanute High School drama and vocal department is hoping to figuratively put on a lights out performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” next Friday and Saturday.

This year’s production is the epitome of a musical—the entire play is composed of songs. Every song has a different genre, creating a very unique show.

Directors David Cadwallader, Bill Woodard and Russ Vallier chose “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” for a couple of distinct reasons.

“We chose this show because it’s a personal favorite of all of ours; we really like the show,” Cadwallader said. “We have a particularly strong group of male singers this year so we wanted to do a show that could kind of highlight that.” Cadwallader has also been in a production of the play, so he “knows how fun it can be”.

The narrator, played by senior Lauren Busby, chronicles the story of Joseph, played by junior Dakota Gough, as he embarks on an involuntary journey.

Although the cast and crew have faced many speed bumps along the way, they have been working diligently to put on a fantastic show.

The problem started on October 25 when a custom breaker in the school blew. While the auditorium was not initially affected by the blown breaker, power was rerouted from the auditorium to the classrooms so that the classrooms would have lights.

The replacement breaker had to be custom made, meaning a quick solution to the now dark auditorium was impossible. Cadwallader elected to postpone the school musical a week, and the cast was forced to hold practices in the dark with minimal lighting while they awaited the arrival of the new breaker.

“Obviously it’s not ideal, but I know our actors have done a very good job of practicing in the dark and keeping their spirits high despite having additional difficulties piled on them,” Cadwallader said.

There was also an issue with conflicting schedules. Many of the cast members are involved in various activities, including sports and church activities.

[

Cadwallader said he tries to remain flexible when it comes to kids being involved in other activities.

“We are fortunate enough to have people that have a lot of different interests and a lot of different talents, so we just always try to accommodate everything else that’s going on,” Cadwallader said.

Despite these issues, the cast and crew of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” hope the audience find the performance to be a moving, magnificent musical.

“Expect a lot of cheesy lines and laughs and just a fun family show,” said Busby.

Opening night is November 22 at 7 p.m. There will be another show on Saturday at the same time.

Alexis Thuston/ Class of 2014 Belting out one of his opening tunes, junior Dakota Gough plays Joseph, a man with a unique gift at interpreting dreams, in the Chanute High School performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Gough and his castmates will perform a matinee for CHS students before a public performance November 22 at 7 p.m. An additional show will take place November 23 at 7 p.m.

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CHS junior applies skills learned in gaming class “I am a huge video gamer; I love video games. I’ve always been interested in the makeup of a video game” - Jacob Dillow CHS Junior

BY JENNY ANGLETON CLASS OF 2014 Students have recently experienced a push from Chanute High School administrators, teachers and counselors to improve their ACT scores.

The push came after CHS staff were visited by Carolyn Devane during an in-service session in October.

“She has a lot of useful strategies and as long as students will practice the strategies that she presents, it will increase their ACT scores,” said CHS Spanish teacher Laurie Ward Devane will be back on November 26 to host an ACT Test Preparation Session for students. The goal is for students to better understand the format of the test and learn how to skillfully manage their time to earn their best scores possible on the test.

The session will be held during school hours in the auditorium for those students who signed up and paid a $35 fee.

CHS counselor Jessie Fewins said that while the session will help students with understanding the overall structure of the test, it won’t substitute the importance of academics.

“We want to be sure to do everything we can to help students be prepared by not only educating them well

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stuff like that and eventually you’ll run out and die of course.”

With any major project, it takes awhile Working towards creating your own to finish. Dillow, Cooper and Jones have personal video game is quite complicated been working on this project since second if you don’t have imagination or drive to semester of last year. complete the task.

Dillow hopes that the game will be finJunior Jacob Dillow has both. ished by next year. Right now he is makUsing skills he learned as a sophoing this game just for the fun of it, but Jamore in Jill Stevenson’s Video Game Procob hopes that “we’ll get to a certain point duction class, Dillow along with that maybe it will become like a friends Ross Copper and Caleb serious game and will probably Jones, also juniors, are currently sell it for like five bucks, you working on an FPS (First Person know if five people buy it, hey Shooter). The objective is to find 25 bucks!” objects used to kill zombies.

Steam is a software used to “I started this project because download and purchase games I am a huge video gamer; I love off of, which is hopefully where video games. I’ve always been Jacob Dillow you can purchase their game in interested in the makeup of a vidJunior the future. eo game,” Dillow said.

During Stevenson’s class DilRight now Dillow said he is low learned how to use Javascript, a type trying to implement vehicles and helicopof programming language, as well as how ters, allowing the avatar to win the game to manipulate objects on a scene. He also and fly away in the helicopter. learned how to create two-dimensional Being the creator of your own game and three-dimensional games. allows you to change what happens. DilDillow said he originally wanted to low says he has other ideas like, “the hego into programming and video game delicopter will have weapons and gas and

BY ABBY LIUDAHL CLASS OF 2015

Students receive push to improve ACT scores

sign, but now is leaning towards learning more about the makeup of the computer.

“I would kind of like to go into computer engineering, which kind of deals with some of that, and it also deals with the rest of the computer, because in video game design you learn, basically, talking to the computer, which is what programming does,” Dillow said.

in the content areas, but also by giving them opportunities to become familiar with the test,” Fewins said.

Finances are a big issue pertaining to high school students and how they will afford college. With a high ACT score students can earn scholarships to help offset the costs of attending college.

Fewins stated the importance of this session saying, “The difference of one point on the ACT can literally net thousands of dollars for college.”

Fewins stressed that paying for college doesn’t have to be a struggle.

Taking the initiative now to sign up for instructional classes will pay off in the long run.

21.9 21.1

average

ACT score in Kansas

National average ACT score

Entertainment Etc.2 Page

A+

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Friday, November 15, 2013

Student Life Comet

Remembering our nation’s heroes

Making the Grade

countdown

Christmas break:

36 days

Spring break:

Matt Payne Senior

118 days Prom: 148 days

Senior check-out day:

173 days

Last day of school:

188 days Briefly

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BY DALTON WEIGAND CLASS OF 2014 Matthew Payne is November pick for Making the Grade.

Payne has a 3.26 GPA. Payne’s favorite class is Human Physiology and Anatomy because he enjoys being challenged academically.

“It’s one of the best high school classes to take if you want to go into the medical field,” he said.

He also enjoys his other classes which include English Comp and construction.

Payne is heavily involved in Student Government and works a fulltime job at Cleaver’s.

Some of his favorite activities outside of school and work include spending time outside, hanging out with friends and doing homework.

Payne’s current ACT score is 24; however, he plans on retaking the ACT in the near future. His advice to anyone looking to take the test is to study, take courses and take practice tests online.

His life goals vary greatly. He hopes to compete in an Ironman Triathlon, run a marathon and graduate with a masters degree in special needs education and a minor in business.

Payne offered some valuable advice to underclassmen.

“What you do for the next ten years, starting in high school, will determine what you do with your life,” he said.

OR

This THAT

The Comet asked senior Austin Troxell...

or

turkey ham Christmas Thanksgiving apple pie pumpkin hot chocolate apple cider Cyber Monday Black Friday football Macy’s Day Parade sweet potato baked potato

or or or or or

or

NHS

BY JENNY ANGLETON CLASS OF 2016

During the recent National Honor Society induction ceremony 36 juniors and seniors became members of NHS. This organization recognizes high-achieving students with a 3.6 GPA or higher. They are also evaluated on their character, service, leadership, and scholarship.

The newly inducted members are:

Alexis Thuston/ Class of 2014 Top: Members of Chanute High School’s Select Ensemble help unveil the Veterans Memorial at Sante Fe Park on Monday. The memorial was a three-year labor of love by the American Legion Riders and was made possible by the donations of many local individuals and businesses.

Above left: Chanute High School Student Government President Karter Krokstrom leads those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Above right: With members of the CHS Select Ensemble listening, Retired Sergeant Christopher Moore stands as he is recognized for helping with the Veterans’ Memorial. See more pictures at thecometonline.com

?

Let’s get quizzical

Three peas in a pod, the three musketeers, the three amigos. Whatever you call them, the Chandler triplets are a tremendous trio. A trio that apparently doesn’t know much about each other...

Kaylee Chandler

Kevin Chandler

Kyle Chandler

My parents

Justin Bieber

Mom

Ham

Turkey

Turkey

If Kaylee was a superhero who would she be?

Wonderwoman

Catwoman

Superman

If you had to describe Kaylee in one word, what would it be?

Caring

Cool

Ornery

Final score

0

1/2

Who is Kaylee’s role model?

What is Kaylee’s favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Daniel Benavides, Logan Bennett, Brooklyn Chaney, Lamisa Chowdhury, Michael Churning, Kaylin Cuesta, Ramsey Davis, Madison Dispensa, Colton Erickson, Bailey Ethridge, Macy Flowers, Tori Greer, Tara Haight, Bailey Herzberg, Caleb Jones, Matthew Keenan, Jaymi Lawrence, Abby Liudahl, Lake Lund, Andrew Marts, Sierra Masoner, Tristan McNaught, Sarah Methvin, Matthew Oliphant, Derek Sharp, Alex Son, Rena Stair, Shelby Stair, Zoie Stewart, Kelsey Tallent, Payton Tallent, Haley Taylor, Alexis Thuston, Ethin VanAnne, Gus Walker, and Jennifer Westendorf.

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StuGo

BY ABBY LIUDAHL CLASS OF 2014

StuGo is sponsoring a food drive, which began Monday and continues until next Friday.

Students are asked to bring food to the classroom of their choice. When a classroom has compiled enough food, the door will be blocked with a piece of paper and there will be no classes held in that room all day.

StuGo hopes to block every teachers’ door. Block-off day is Monday November 25.

Students can bring a variety of packaged food to the school. The food will be donated to the food pantries at the First Christian and Otterbein Church.

StuGo also sponsored a blood drive last week. The drive had 49 participants, 15 deferrals and six people who couldn’t fill a whole bag.

The drive fell short of its goal of 55 units, collecting just 25.

Though StuGo did not reach its goal, the blood obtained will save 75 lives.

For more in depth coverage visit thecometonline.com.

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The

Comet Entertainment Etc.3 Page

Friday, November 15 , 2013

Clashing Comets

Opportunities are much greater on Black Friday JENNY ANGLETON CLASS OF 2016 Some view it as the worst possible torture for humanity, others feel like they have just experienced an entirely new aspect of life. Two words: Black Friday—probably the craziest, yet most exciting time one can have shopping.

On Black Friday prices of items are decreased dramatically, sometimes by more than 40 to 50 percent.

If you choose not to go, you run the risk of missing out on incredible deals that may not be available during the increasingly popular “Cyber Monday.”

If you are looking for new electronics, shopping that day is a good idea because most retailers will put discounts on popular devices.

Shopping in your community on Black Friday also boosts your local economy. Instead of sending your money to international companies, opt for your local purchases so you can support the hardworking residents of your community.

Besides the economic boost you provide to your community, you can physically see what they are buying.

You get the idea of exactly what you’re buying before you buy it, because it’s

right there in front of you. If you were to go online shopping you would have to wait the shipping period before you receive it.

Also, who doesn’t love the rush of satisfaction when you receive a huge deal on an item you’ve been wanting forever, or just a spur-of-the-moment purchase? No matter what the purchase is or how big of a discount you receive, you will come away from your Black Friday experience with a sense of accomplishment.

To avoid wasting money, take a friend and go window shopping so you don’t buy items on impulse. It can be an enjoyable outing whether you are interested in buying a gift or just adding an item to your wish list.

This holiday also provides a time to spend with family or friends just checking out the latest deals. Sometimes while shopping you encounter old family and friends you don’t see very often. Black Friday proves to be not only a shopping experience but also a social one.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of holiday shopping, or a beginner just wanting to take part in this worldwide event, this year’s Black Friday will be one you don’t want to miss.

Opinion

IS BLACK FRIDAY REALLY WORTH THE HASSLE?

Shopping time not worth opting out of family time REBECCA WENDT CLASS OF 2016 Black Friday: the day people around the world love to hate. Although it is built up to be a day with great sales, Black Friday is unnecessary and a letdown for many reasons.

For one thing, Cyber Monday, an online shopping holiday, offers the same great deals. It’s a faster and easier way to buy the items on sale, and people can shop from the comfort of their home. Plus, with family in town for Thanksgiving break, they can quickly buy their desired items without leaving.

Another downfall of Black Friday is the quality of the material.

According to About.com, the products sold on Black Friday are made quickly and in great quantity to accommodate the cheaper deals. Therefore, the quality is much worse than it would be in normal circumstances.

One of the most unfortunate results of this ‘holiday’ is the possibility of injury, or in extreme cases death.

Hundreds of customers participate in a mad race resembling a stampede for the best products when the doors open. While deaths are rare, it is still

a risk.

In one extreme case, a 39-year-old Walmart worker was trampled to death by a stampede of more than 2,000 people. A pregnant woman who fell in the crowd suffered a miscarriage, and three other people were also injured.

And that was just one Walmart.

Most customers shop for the amazing discounts on Black Friday, but the truth is the deals are not as stunning as people think. The items that are marked down the most are usually bought by the extreme shoppers who are the first in the door.

The rest of the day, the discounts are not that great.

When shopping on Black Friday, each consumer will easily overspend, even with the deals. While out in the store, the consumer will be overwhelmed by the items around them and won’t be able to resist impulse shopping.

So, while Black Friday is loved by a few discount-hungry shoppers, it truly is a waste of time and money. It ruins the values of joy, love, and kindness that come with Thanksgiving. Black Friday, which brings unnecessary greed, should not be praised as a holiday.

EMILY LAIR 2014

CLASS OF

Kelsey Tallent/Class of 2015

Editorial

‘Crying wolf’ about bullying as dangerous as bullying itself We at the Comet acknowledge that bullying is an extremely serious issue. However, it has become clear to us that some reports of bullying are not actually bullying.

There’s a huge difference between friendly teasing and a valid case of bullying. These situations take attention away from real occurrences of bullying and have caused many people to scoff at, even make light of, the issue of bullying.

Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or to aggressively impose domination over others.

Unfortunately, many reports of bullying are far from the true definition. Reporting somebody for bullying has become sort of a scapegoat now that almost anything can be morphed into bullying.

In October, a parent from an opposing team accused the coach of a Texas high school football team of bullying in a formal complaint simply because his son’s team lost 91-0. As you can see, the sensationalizing of bullying has allowed people to twist situations of simple competition into bullying.

The sensationalism of bullying has directly affected Chanute High School. There is a serious, notable inconsistency

&

Quoted

Noted

The Comet Staff Editor-in-Chief Katie Lair Managing Editor

IB Programme helps prepare students for college success

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is an extremely rigorous and intellectually challenging course offered at high schools across the globe.

The program is offered to high school students of ages 16 to 19 in order to promptly prepare students for greater success in their future studies, careers and life thereafter.

To earn an IB diploma, students must successfully pass examinations in literature, foreign language, social studies, mathematics, experimental sciences and the arts. A four-thousand-word essay, a theory course, and one hundred hours of community service are also toppled on top of the exams.

There are more than 800 schools in the nation that offer the IB Diploma Programme. Only eight of those 800+ are located in Kansas. While this may seem like a marginal and relatively insignificant amount of schools in the area, I believe that more schools, and possibly Chanute, should look into obtaining the prestigious program in their curriculum.

Abundant benefits pour out of the IB Programme. Designed to help high school students address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of their futures, the program is greatly revered and recognized by the world’s most prestigious universities. An IB Diploma would certainly give any student an advantage among several other applicants to top universities.

Because earning an IB Diploma requires that students study at least two languages and cultures, take part in in-depth research, study courses from six subject groups, enhance study skills, creativity, action and service, they are thoroughly more prepared for difficult college classes.

While I believe that the IB Diploma Programme would benefit any student that is willing and dedicated to the challenging and diligent curriculum, it is not easy—or cheap—for schools to go through the IB Authorization Process.

Realistically speaking, Chanute High School will probably not acquire the IB Diploma Programme any time soon.

However, I think that the program could benefit CHS students in numerous ways if it was offered here.

2013-14

in bullying policy at Chanute High School. Despite constantly being told to be a “leader” and to step up and do the right thing whenever we see or hear about bullying, students who actually intervene are told they shouldn’t have gotten involved and to mind their own business in the future.

Obviously, this phenomenon has caused mass confusion among the student body. Many have proclaimed they would prefer not to do anything rather than stepping in and be chastised.

The solution to this problem is complicated. First, as students we must stop “crying wolf” when it comes to bullying. Second, a clarification must be made about how we should handle bullying situations. Saying “Don’t be a bystander” isn’t specific enough.

The administration needs to clarify two things: One, what they consider bullying, and two, how we should handle it.

Without this distinction, bullying will continue to grow.

BY ALEXANDRA GWILLIM CLASS OF 2014 FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD

“

It was nice to see that many people there.

It was cool to see all the local people’s names.

—Karen Graham STUGO SPONSOR Reaction to the Veterans Memorial ceremony

Alexandra Gwillim Online Editor-in-Chief Emily Lair Student Life Editors Alexandra G. and Katie L. Opinion Editor Alexis Thuston Sports Editor McKayla Barnow Entertainment Editor Lamisa Chowdhury Feature Editor Madison Dispensa Photography Editor Abby Liudahl Reporters/Photographers Jenny Angleton, Regan Aylward, Audrey Bolt, Macy Flowers, Tara Haight, Katie Martin, Talia Ramsey, Kelsey Tallent, Dalton Weigand, Rebecca Wendt Advisor Dustin Fox The Comet is published nine times per year by the Chanute High School newspaper staff.

The Comet does not accept subscriptions and has a standard advertising rate of $5 per column inch. The paper is available free of charge at Chanute High School, at various locations in Chanute, and can be found online at thecometonline.com.

The Comet, a four-time winner of the All-Kansas award, is a member of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and Journalism Education Association.

The Comet is printed by Kansas Newspapers LLC in Parsons and is composed by the student staff.

Editorial Policy The Comet will report on and editorialize about controversial and crucial events in the school, community, nation, and world. School editors and writers will, however, observe the same legal responsibilities as those imposed on conventional newspapers and news media.

Thus, The Comet will refrain from publication of material that is obscene, libelous, or creates a clear and present danger of the immediate disruption of the school. In determining the type of material that violates the above restrictions, it must be noted that the discrimination of material that invites or simulates heated discussion or debate among students or in the community does not constitute the type of disruption prohibited.

The Comet will not be subject to prior restraints or censorship by school officials, unless material is considered obscene, libelous, or disruptive as previously defined. Commercial advertising will be printed, but items and/or services that are illegal because of age restrictions, etc., will not be advertised.

The Comet is a public forum. Since school publications are designed as instructional instruments for students and as a vehicle for student opinion and discussion, the opinions, issues, or articles published shall not be construed as those representing the publication adviser, school administration, or the Board of Education. The contents of The Comet are the responsibility of the student staff.

Get in Touch With Us Email: thecomet@chanutehighschool. com 620-432-2510 Ext. 106 Follow us on Twitter @chscomet On the web: thecometonline.com 1. Letters should be emailed to thecomet@chanutehighschool.com no later than the Monday of the week of publication.

2. All letters must be signed, even though the name(s) may be withheld upon request of the writer. Names will be made available, however, to the publication’s adviser, editor-in-chief, and necessary staff members of The Comet.

3. A joint letter should not contain more than ten names. If more than ten names appear on the letter, only ten will be published. However, a complete list of all the other names will be available to the publications adviser, editor-inchief, and necessary staff members.

4. Each letter should be no more than 200 words in length and will be subject to editing and/or cutting. Should editing or cutting be required, the writer will be notified before publication. The Comet reserves the right to refuse publication. The writer, however, will be notified of such decision.

5. Obscene, libelous, or other material that might be determined to cause a disruption of the normal school daily routine will not be printed, and the writer will be notified of such decision.

Page 4

Friday, November 15, 2013

Growing together

> Sports

Tight-knit group reflects on success, memories TALIA RAMSEY CLASS OF 2016

The 2013 volleyball season has come to an end, and for the Blue Comets’ eight seniors the end was bittersweet.

Brittany VanRowen moved to Chanute this year, but seven of the seniors — Regan Aylward, Katy Batten, Tara Haight, Payton Tallent, Katie Martin, Sierra Masoner and Haley Taylor, have been playing together for most of their lives.

The seven capped already successful high school careers with an even more successful final season, accumulating a 41-3 record en route to a third-place finish at the Class 4A Division I state tournament.

The years have come and gone, and they were filled with success and recordbreaking seasons. The Comets have won 16 SEK matches in a row, 98 of their last 103 regular season matches and 105 of their last 115 matches including the post season.

While the numbers certainly speak to the group’s success, they don’t tell the whole story.

This group of seven began playing together in traveling volleyball in sixth grade, starting off with club ball and then going on to play for Royster. Most of the girls hadn’t even played volleyball so they had to try out different positions to see what worked best for each girl.

“You know, it was very evident even

then that they were very talented and they were athletic,” Blue Comet head coach Gail Petersen recalled. “They were very eager; they just wanted to play volleyball.”

The beginning years were fun-filled and exciting for the girls as they tried out their new sport together.

“We weren’t that great honestly to begin with, but we had a lot of fun together,” Martin explained.

Petersen started coaching some of the girls when they were in fifth and had all seven in sixth grade. Petersen has watched the girls grow up through volleyball, noting that their current success can be attributed to a lot of hard work.

“You know, a lot of people think that everything’s come easy for these girls, and they don’t realize the amount of time they’ve spent at the gym, at camps, just making themselves better,” she said.

“None of this has come by accident. It’s been because they worked for it, and they wanted it. They’ve had this year in mind for a long time and it’s all been building up to it.”

Masoner said those first few years were both “awesome” and “competitive.” She said the time together created a connection between the girls.

“If it wasn’t for sports, we wouldn’t have the bond that we have,” Masoner said. “We were really little, and I never would have thought that I’d be playing my senior year and going to state for the third year in a row with them.”

Courtesy Photo As eighth graders in 2010 this year’s group of seniors played in the Sunflower State Games. In the front row are Katie Martin, Regan Aylward and Katy Batten. In the back row are Haley Taylor, Sierra Masoner, Payton Tallent and Tara Haight.

Gary Fail/Courtesy Photo Seven of this year’s eight seniors have played together since the sixth grade. The group has experienced unrivaled success since playing varsity volleyball together. The group won three SEK titles, three sub-state titles and took third-place at the Class 4A Division i state tournament this year. Pictured above are Katy Batten and Regan Aylward (sitting) along with Katie Martin, Sierra Masoner, Payton Tallent, Haley Taylor and Tara Haight.

While strong relationships are often formed through sports, in some circumstances players may not be close friends outside of their athletics. Batten said that is not the case with this group.

“We’re best friends on the court and off the court. We have grown up together.

Half of us are neighbors, so we’ve been friends forever,” Batten said.

Tallent agreed, explaining how obtaining close relationships can affect the team.

“We have a really good connection together and it just flows a lot easier because we’re all best friends,” she said.

“We can criticize each other without taking it personal.”

Spending so much time together would not work if the girls did not find a way to have fun.

“We always just have a lot of fun together,” Tallent said. “We’ve been pretty successful, and it’s really sad that it’s over, but we had fun.”

Masoner said that trust was key to success in volleyball and ultimately comes from being a close team.

“On the volleyball court, you have to trust that people know what they’re doing,” Masoner said. “I’m able to trust Katy Batten to be behind me and cover me if I get blocked. I can trust Katie to get me the set, I can trust Tara to get me the set. It’s just like a bond and we all know each other and how we react to different things on the court, whether it’s attitudes or different passes and stuff like that.”

While most classes have only a few seniors left playing sports together, this group has stuck together every year, practice after practice, and have been successful almost every step of the way.

“I think it’s crazy, especially when people asked me about the team before the season and I said ‘Well we have eight seniors!’” Masoner said. “I just think it’s awesome that we had this opportunity and with it being our last chance at state, we’d been there the last couple years, but this year we all talked about how it was different because we knew it was our last chance to actually do something.”

While all of the seniors agreed that there isn’t one girl who stands out as the leader and that they all combined to undertake the leadership role, Masoner said there were definitely some distinct roles.

“Katy Batten is definitely the goofy one — she knows how to put a smile on everybody’s face,” Masoner said.

Masoner described Tallent and Martin are as the ones who are most serious during games. “lf it’s a serious game, you’ll always see them getting into it,” Masoner explained.

Masoner said Taylor is the definition of encouragement. Her attitude is something that helps keep the team in good spirits.

“Haley is definitely the uplifter — she’s kind of like Katy Batten, always wanting to keep a smile on everyone’s faces,” Masoner said.

“Tara is the one that really likes to make sure things get done. She’s the playmaker. Especially in really intense games I can look over to her and she is like, ‘We’re going to run this play, you’re going to get the hit, and we’re going to win this game.”

“Regan is probably one the biggest motivators on the team. She is the one who will come up to me after a bad hit, pat me on the back, and keep me posi-

tive.”

Petersen said she’d miss this group and all of their unique personalities.

“You get very attached.” Petersen said “Senior night was tough and… it’s going to be tough.”

With their final season of volleyball together completed, the girls are left with memories of success, laughs, and friendship.

“I mean, the wins and the successes are great and I’ll definitely remember those, but mostly I’ll remember my relationship with the girls and just how much fun we had out on the court,” Martin said.

Overall, Martin and her teammates are proud of the goals they’ve accomplished and their outcomes at state.

Last year, they narrowly lost some important games at state, ending the season with a 35 - 3 record. This year, the girls stuck together through moments of adversity on their was to a third-place finish.

“Yeah, we wanted to place higher — first or second would have been nice — but third is nothing to be ashamed of,” Martin said. “I’m really proud of what we accomplished, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other girls.”

Agreeing with Martin, Masoner said that while playing in the state championship game would have been great, she was proud of what her and her teammates accomplished.

“I love the girls and it’s just awesome that we were able to accomplish that — that was our goal,” Masoner said. “We wanted to make a point and prove ourselves at state, and we did that. It was just a great end to a great year.”

Seasons of success: Fall sports set bar high MCKAYLA BARNOW CLASS OF 2016

The Blue Comets sports teams experienced one of their most successful allaround fall seasons in recent memory.

The Comets claimed SEK team titles in girls cross country and volleyball, while seeing a fair amount of individual success.

From the golf course to the gridiron, the Blue Comets proved themselves to be among the best in the SEK and the state.

Cross Country In their first year under new head coach Brett Reinhart, the cross country teams made great strides.

The girls won the SEK title and the boys came up just short, finishing in second place just three points behind league champion Labette County.

Further chances at success went out the window when an incredibly difficult regional kept the team from moving on to the state meet.

Despite the regional disappointment, many of the runners set new personal records, however, the team did not make it to state this year.

On the girls side, senior Audrey Bolt, junior Madison Dispensa, sophomore Talia Ramsey all earn all-SEK honors while sophomore Madi Rollins, and freshman Jenna Patterson were honorable mention.

For the boys, junior Chandler Summers and sophomore Brady Taylor

earned all-SEK honors. Junior Tristan McNaught, junior Matthew Keenan and freshman Jason Isle were honorable mention.

Sophomore Brittney Palet also had a solid season, finishing 11th in the SEK.

Girls Tennis Led by the No. 1 doubles team of senior Alexis Thuston and junior Abby Liudahl, the Blue Comets experienced unprecedented success.

A Baldwin Invitational title, a thirdplace finish in SEK and two state qualifiers were all part of the this year’s team resume.

Thuston and Liudahl won both the SEK and regional titles before taking ninth at the state tournament.

Junior Shelby Stair, who played No. 2 singles for most of the year, played some of her best tennis at the end of the season and qualified for the state tournament as well.

A relatively young squad, all the Comets from this year’s team will return except for Thuston.

Football

Another first-year head coach made his impact on a Blue Comet program as Jason Feeback stressed the importance of the weight room like never before.

As a result, what many predicted would be a down year for the Comets saw them become District and Bi-District champions before falling to Coffeyville, ending their season with an 8-3 record.

The Comets opened the season with an upset of state-ranked Mulvane as they opened the season 3-0.

Back-to-back losses to Pittsburg and Coffeyville dropped the Comets to 3-2, but the team rebounded to win its next five games.

For the season, the Comets finished third in the SEK, averaging 37 points per game while using a balanced scoring attack.

Seven Comets finished in the top 20 in the SEK in scoring — junior Ethin VanAnne (sixth with 60 points), senior Christian Wiltse (seventh with 58), senior Dallas Joyce (eighth with 54), senior A.J. LaRocca (ninth with 53), junior Alex Son (11th with 48), senior Trey Ellis (19th with 32) and junior Derek Sharp (20th with 30).

All-SEK results were not available because the SEK does not release results until all member schools’ seasons are completed.

This year was a successful fall sports season for the Blue Comets. All five sports saw their share of success. Clockwise: Sophomore Abbe Funk took 13th at state golf. The volleyball team took third in state. Sophomore Talia Ramsey was an all-SEK runner for the cross county team. Senior Trey Ellis helped the football team claim the Bi-District championship. Junior Shelby Stair was a state qualifier in tennis. placed third in the SEK, took fourth at Girls Golf regionals before firing a 92 at the state Not being able to compete as a team tournament and finishing with a tie for due to lack of players for most of the sea13th. son did not keep the girls golf team from Freshman Abby Walker finished 15th its share of success. in the SEK standings before coming out Sophomore Abbe Funk was a consisof nowhere to join Funk as a state qualitent bright spot for the team. Funk, who fier.

Volleyball Led by an experienced group of seniors, the Blue Comets went 40-3, won their third-straight SEK title, thirdstraight sub-state title, and took thirdplace at the Class 4A Division I state tournament.

Senior Sierra Masoner and junior Macy Flowers were unanimous firstteam all-SEK selections.

Seniors Katy Batten and Haley Taylor joined Masoner and Flowers on the first team, while senior Katie Martin earned second-team honors.

The

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Entertainment

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True Life: Confessions of a Netflix addict

Lamisa Chowdhury Class of 2014 At this very moment, I’d rather be spending my precious time watching my favorite television shows on Netflix, but I am stuck in my newspaper class discussing the serious problem I have: being addicted to Netflix.

Eight dollars can be spent on numerous things, from eight cheeseburgers to three packs of pens, but Netflix offers over one billion hours of T.V. shows and movies. Now if that is not a bargain, I don’t know what is.

Netflix is not only cheap, but easy to

access. I can literally be anywhere watching movies off my phone, laptop and T.V. With the right amount of cell phone service, I can even watch an episode in class, but that’s highly frowned upon.

My procrastination is at its all-time high solely because of Netflix. Instead of studying for my physics test, I’ll grab my laptop and watch a few episodes of Breaking Bad. A few episodes quickly turn into a few seasons, and I can see the sun creeping through my blinds, and studying is the last thing on my mind. I can’t just stop half way through the season when shows end with cliffhangers, and Netflix automatically plays the next episode.

I am happy to say I am not the only one with an addiction, over half of Chanute High school students claim to be addicted to everything Netflix offers. I don’t actually have statistics on the issue, but I like to think I’m not the only one with a problem.

While writing this article, I have even stopped mid-sentence to fan girl about all

the great qualities of Netflix.

My addiction does not stop there.

There is a family history of my problem. My sister passed it along to me, and I will definitely pass it on to my children, thus creating a never-ending cycle.

What if I can’t give up on Netflix?

Will I die with my laptop by my side? And instead of being a cat lady, will I be the notorious “Netflix Lady?” The suspense is killing me, why isn’t there a movie on Netflix about Netflix addiction yet?!

The problem snuck up on me, leaving me to wallow in my laziness. Pizza stains cover my favorite sweaters while the odor of sadness lingers in my bedroom. I show several signs of addiction: Netflix dependence, unwillingness to stop, obsession, denial, withdrawal symptoms, social and/ or recreational sacrifices, and maintaining a good supply… of movies to watch at all times.

DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A NETFLIX ANOYMOUS MEETING? Until then, I’m going to watch some more Netflix.

Review: Chance the Rapper, the social experiment

Lamisa Chowdhury Class of 2014 College students ditched parties and stayed up past their bedtimes to attend Chance the Rapper’s Social Experiment tour, in Lawrence November 10. Even I was lucky enough to go to the sold out show.

Some people even drove all the way from Oklahoma just to listen to this unsigned artist live.

Liberty Hall was alive that cold night, with hundreds of hip teens roaming around with their aztec print leggings and hoodies.

The concert was set to start at 9 p.m.

so we headed to the hall a bit early to get a good place on the floor, but that did not happen; I was in the very back, staring straight into strangers’ backs and heads.

Of course rappers are never on time, and we had to wait a solid hour for Chance to even get on stage, but the wait was completely worth it. From 9 to 10 p.m. we stood around the auditorium and jammed to the latest hip hop tunes that DJ Rashad and Spinn chose. Various people danced, rapped and snapped photos, while I stood like the awkward teenager I am, waiting for Chance.

I weaseled my way closer and closer to the front of the auditorium, bobbing and weaving between sweaty humans. Finally, right as the show started I made it to the front, where I could see Chance perfectly.

The lights dimmed and a video projection illuminated the stage while a piano played in the background. Chance came out on stage with the first song off his new mix tape, “Acid Rap” and the whole crowd was hyped, He incorporated songs from his first mix tape, “10 Days,” and even sang a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You”.

WhRe’s

AbY?

Use the clues to find the picture of Abby hidden in the school. Bring the photo to Mr. Fox in room 106 to receive your prize.

Chance created a fun and happy environment for everyone there; he would disappear off stage from time to time and get the crowd to chant “Chance!” over and over again.

The vibes at the concert were raging, no one person was just standing. Jumping in the air, waving our hands, videotaping every moment, the crowd was just as excited as Chance was to be there.

This being his first tour, I wasn’t expecting much out of him, but I was blown away with how well he sounded live. It was as if I was listening to him straight off the mix tape; he was that good.

Not only was he ecstatic, he was playful on stage. Dancing all over the stage and grabbing every fans’ hands, he made the concert a comfortable atmosphere.

So comfortable that a random girl jumped onto the stage and danced along with Chance. Although she did get dragged off stage by a security guard, the whole fiasco was hilariously awesome.

So if you are down to get sweaty with strangers and sing along to songs way off key, make your way to a Chance the Rapper show. You will not be disappointed.

Last issue I was thrilled to have our very first winner of “Where’s Abby?” I love the sudden transformation from our first issue, where no one found “Abby”, to where “Abby” was found within minutes of the Comet being delivered.

Our winner was Aaron Phillips. Whoever wants to win the next prize better be on their toes if they want to be the next winner of “Where’s Abby?”!

The Clues

• Wrapped up • I change your mood • Champions line up here • Look between the machines • nivdnge

Visit us online www.thecometonline.com

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Friday, November 15, 2013

> Feature NOV

Graphic By: Madison Dispensa/ Class of 2015

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GraphicBy:MadisonDispensa-Classof2015

f o o d

d r i v e

Through Nov. 20th at CHS. Block a doorway, get out of that class for a day.

Let’s make it No Hunger November!

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