Zooming To Graduation G R I F F I N
R I T E S
May 2021 | Senior Issue | Volume 51 issue 4
2
CONTENTS 4
Class Of 2021 Names
6
Still Sounding Great
7
Senior Spotlights
9
Homecoming and Prom
10
Then & Now/Pounce & Play
11
High School In One Word/Survey Says...
12
Parking Lot Pizzazz
13
We're All in this Together
14
Ain't no Pride like Senior Pride
15 16
#seniorsunday
17
May I have your autograph?
20
The Hill We Climb
Wise Words
PURPOSE
Griffin Rites strongly supports the first amendment and opposes censorship. Freedom of expression and the press are fundamental values in a democratic society. The mission of institutions committed to preparing productive citizens must include teaching these values, both by example and lesson. We welcome letters to our staff and reserve the right to edit them for length and clarity but not to change ideas. Letters may be opinionated and argumentative but not hostile. They must be signed and submitted to F6 or mailed to "Griffin Rites Editor" at 5815 NE 48th St. Kansas City, MO 64119. Advertising space is available. Please contact Griffin Rites Editor at winnetonkanews@gmail.com for more information. Our student news program is a member of JEMKC, MIPA, and NSPA.
Staff
CHEYENNE BROWN-EDITOR DESTINY MATTINGLY-CO-EDITOR RUTH ESTRADA-STAFF ISAAK PETERSON-STAFF JOSHUA HARPER-STAFF DR. SHANNON LE GRAND-ADVISER
ON THE COVER
On the cover is a photo of James Davis while he was taking his senior photos.
4
Class Of 2021 Zuhur Abdi Iman Abdukadir Kamal Abdullahi Zachariah Abrams Alyssa Ackley John Adair Jasmine Aguirre Salma Ahmed John Allen Leonardo Allende-Flores Niurka Alley Axel Alvarez-Ruiz Roberto Arellano Mario Avila
Joshua Bailey Brenden Barclay Blake Barnes Evalyn Barrios Jah’dae Barry Christine Bermejo Elizabeth Beynon Danielle Bingham Shannon Birlingmair Maria Bisby Brandon Biswell Alains Bouzi Harley Boyer Aidan Braman Jayden Brasher Dorianna Braxton Evelyn Brecke Delany Bresnahan Blake Brinsa Marissa Briseno Mauricio Brito-Pacheco Branden Brooks Skylar Brown Assata Bryant Natalie Bryant Jonas Buendio Brittany Bui Brody Burnette Daija Butler
Hayleigh Callahan Hannah Campbell Javier Campos Wyatt Carr Arturo Castillo III Brandon Castillo Juan Castillo Gabriel Ceja Michelle Chavez-Rincon Tanner Christy Melissa Clark Daniel Clevenger Sarah Coccovizzo James Cockrill Aireonna Colding Avery Cole Sullivan Comfort Jose Contreras Jr Cameron Conway Kwintin Cook Thomas Cook Miranda Costa Ivy Cox Joelle Creed-Pearson Nyah Cunningham
Brennan Elling Kaitlyn Elliott Honey Ellison Jareem Eubanks Adam Evans Brittany Evans
Austin Farthing Jahnisha Faulkner Sophia Ferson Kaylei Fitzpatrick Brooklyn Frame Tarryn Freede Camaron Frye
Ermias Habtemichael Jason Hale Zachary Hamilton Clayton Hammons Jacob Hansen Adrian Harris Carmen Harrison Shomari Harrison Gabriel Hastings Nadia Hawkins Naomi Hawkins Nathaniel Hayward Nicholas Headley Alexis Hernandez Joseph Hertling Kyle Herz Hannah Hinds Masoud Hosseini Jaden Housell Thomas Howard III Jeremy Hoyt Andrew Humphrey Aubree Hunter
Keta IIunga
Azeneth Damian Amyah Davis James Davis Jasmine Deckman Aaron Delgado Abygail Dixon Justin Dobynes Martavias Donahue Kody Dorrell Aydin Douglas Jadin Douglas Diana Drew Emma Dubrel Alyssa Dunaway Collin Dungan Eric Duong
Michael Garberg Cassandra Garcia Monikah Gee Trey Gillespie Dustin Goeller Corey Goodloe Cameron Grant Joshua Green Jeremy Greer Sydney Griffin DaQuon Griswold Sarah Grogan Ray Guerrero Mark Gulotta
Damien Jackson DeAjha Jacson Gabriel Jacobo Michael Jacobsen Bebyana Jak Brayden Jewell Antonio Jumenez Brennen Johnson Chiara Johnson Bryant Jones Gavin Jones Sadiya Juma
5 Emily Kaidannek Tyler Keating Lawerence Kelley Alex Kerns Russell King Alexander Kisler Jackson Kleeman Abigail Klein Avery Koch
Richard Nash Kristina Neilon Halley Nell Bill Nguyen Christian Nguyen John Noe
Mercedes Lashbrook Thang Le Dakota Littlecreek Brieanna Llagas Clayton Loyd Yudita Lubani Madeline Ludwig Juliana Lupercio
Jorden Ramirez Joseph Reith Audrey Resch Monica Rielly Clayton Roberts Zyaire Robinson Kayen Roby Julian Rodgers Victoria Rodgers Elva Rodriguez Gabriela Rodriguez Isabella Rodriguez Ragan Rodriguez Sabrina Rojas-Zdjelar Logan Ross
Joseph Thomas Edward Torres Magdiel Tosca Brandon Truong Samuel Truong Mackenzie Tullis Jada Tunstall
Samuel Valles-Escobar Erica VanHouten Xander Verley Jocelyn Vichez Jazel Villaverde Anthony Vobornik
Mercedez O’Dell Elizabeth O'Dell Kayleanna OLeary Maria Oviedo
Rayonna Madget Jordan Madison Maleah Manning Mayah Manning Mansoor Mansi Megan Mapes Jacob Marcille Stefani Maricic Wyatt Marshall Ellyanna Martinez Brayden Mason Sierra Mattingly Rilynn McClain-Small Sergio Mccullough Emma McGuire Allison McLaughin Devin Miller Tyler Miller Chloe Miller-Pratt DeMarco Mina Tyler Minet Sumaiya Mohamud Javier Molina Izabella Montelongo Montre Moore Hannah Moreno Daniel Morgan Sierra Morris Brodie Morriss Mikayla Moulder Hunter Murray Audrey Myers
Lillian Pack Jonathan Page III Brijesh Patel Louella Pedrino Casey Pelep Luke Pennington Kaylee Peraza Liliana Pinon Rachel Pollard Jordon Prince Daniel Pugh
Lucas Saenz Ava Salas Alonso Sanchez Partida Jakob Sanders Brenen Sanuw Jovan Satterwhite Caleb Schmidt Destiny Schoonover Megan Schuler Isabel Sedgwick Evan Sieler Jason Sieverin Jr Joshua Sluder Marissa Smith Jenipher Smith-Arendt Levi Spielman Devin Squire Parker Stacy Manessa Stepp Kaitlyn Stevens Elizabeth Stevenson Aislynn Stewart Alyssa Stewart Joshua Stout Joseph Streit Jack Stueven Ashley Summers Miller Laine Swanger
Sadie Waggerman Abigail Walker Mason Wallace Mark Waller Derek Walsh Ethan Welch Halle Welch Alexandra Wesner Jaliyah Westbrook Charles Wheeler IV Damirra White Howard Willhoit Da’Jon Williams Nafabyan Wilson Tyler Wilson
Miguel Antonio Justin Yap David Young
Tyler Zack Abby Zimmerman Ginnette Quinones
6
Class of 2021: Still Sounding Great
Created by Griffin Rites · 16 songs Song submissions from the graduating class of 2021 that represents their senior year.
PLAY
"Good Days"
By Miley Cyrus
"I like this song because it puts me in a good mood and gets me motivated." Sierra Mattingly
"The Box"
By Masked Wolf
By Roddy Ricch “I like this song because it has really good vibes and always keeps me in a good mood." Danny Clevenger
Aislynn Stewart
"Turn the Lights Off"
"So You Want to Marry Daisy?"
By Tally Hall
By Spence Hood
"The message of the song is quite fascinating, and highlights the not talked about struggles of becoming a teen. The music is beautifully written and energetic."
"It’s a fun song that you can take it many different ways, and it tells a fun story." Delany Bresnahan
"Something Just Like This"
"Fine Line"
By Coldplay & The Chainsmokers
By Harry Styles
"This is my favorite song because it has a very happy memory attached to it."
"This song just helps me get through anything that I'm struggling with."
Abby Dixon
Diana Drew
"Hard Work Pays Off
"Bad Day"
By Juice WRLD
By Daniel Powter
"Hard Work Pays Off by Juice WRLD and Future because I worked hard to do good in school and I feel it paid off." Brady Jewell
"The meaning of the song is that it isn't just about what you achieve in life, but it is important to consider the journey you took to get there."
"Astronaut in the Ocean" "It's a song that got me through high school, and it's a song I can relate to."
Elizabeth O’Dell
FOLLOWERS 299
"The Climb"
By SZA
Amyah Davis
...
"i would say the song Bad Day just because of everything Covid put us through this year." Quinten Cook
7
Senior Spotlight Seniors Share A Little Story About How Their High School Experience Went
Alex Kisler "I know this year has been pretty rough for everyone, but I’ve still made the most of this year and I’m still making more friends every day. I’m glad we were able to have the band play at the football games, along with dance and cheer, because we really won’t get to do anything ever again after high school, and I’m glad to see people still getting to do the things they love. Even when times get tough, it matters most when we persevere and keep going. It’s not about what happens, but that you keep moving forward. Furthermore, senior year has been quite fun and my friends are what keeps me going. I’m glad to have a lot of great friends."
Kaitlyn Stevens "I am involved in the A+ program. My senior year is going well so far, even though I am missing all the assemblies and dances. My advice for lower classmen is to stay on task at school, so your senior year can be easy and not a lot of catch-up time and to go to all the dances/assemblies/sports games."
Brieanna Llagas "I was involved in like Mental Health Campaign. Aside from that, I was not very involved in anything this year. I wish I had stayed, but I do go to an off-campus program. I plan to study at MCC to pursue my career in Nursing. Don't quit on your goals. If plan A didn't work, try harder. The alphabet has 25 more letters. Work hard and stay positive."
8 Alex Wesner "I'm involved in two choirs (Spectrum of sound and Cardinal and gold), the Colorguard (Tonka Rubies), the girls swim team, GSA, and Art Club. Senior year is going okay! Worse than I imagined in the past, but better than I imagined at the end of last year."
Hayleigh Callahan “I was involved in the key club from freshman year to sophomore year. I have been involved in AVID since sixth grade. I never imagined that this is what my senior year would be like, but I try to make the most out of it. Definitely a year I will never forget. My advice for lower-class men is to focus on their goals, focus on having fun and being young. Don’t rush being young because your years in high school go faster than you realize. My proudest accomplishment in high school has been being independent and accomplishing goals I never thought I would.”
Kaylee Peraza "I'm involved in student council, theater, C&G singers, Spectrum of Sound, AVID, Spanish club, and I am a Renaissance mentor. Senior year is pretty wild. Definitely not what I was expecting (especially this year) it’s full of ups and downs, but it teaches you very important lessons. My advice to underclassmen is, Your time in high school will work to shape you as a person, try to do things that count. Take the time to give back to others, even if it’s in a small way. Make your time matter."
Maria Bisby "I play soccer at Winnetonka, I also am the first alto in our jazz band. I’m an assistant 5th-grade teacher at Gracemor Elementary through the NCC program. My senior year has been odd more than anything. It just feels incomplete, but I’m ready for it to be over and graduate. My advice for lower classmen is don’t be afraid to ask your teacher to round your grade; more than likely they’ll do it. My proudest accomplishment would be my NCC internship and getting accepted into grown your own program with NKCS."
9
GNIMOCEMOH
Jovan Satterwhite
Jazel Villaverde
Jordan Prince
Roberto Arellano
Tyler Wilson
Yudita Lubani
“It meant a lot, from freshman year to senior seeing peers picked over the years, I feel blessed I was chosen.”
“It was great and unforgettable.”
"It gave lots of memories, especially being crowned."
“It was a good opportunity to step out of my comfort zone.”
“It was a great feeling being around all my friends and getting the chance to be on court is always a fun experience”.
“So many happy emotions came over me when I learned that I was chosen to be on homecoming court. I felt so honored to be chosen by my peers."
Nyah Cunningham
Dorianna Braxton
Kaylee Peraza
Derek Walsh
Isabella Rodriguez
"Being on court, was just an overwhelming and unforgettable experience."
"It gave lots of memories, especially being crowned, and it was unforgettable."
Diana Drew
"When it happened I was so shocked I felt my breathing stop and my heart drop to my stomach! But I’m honored and thankful for everyone who voted for me."
Sophia Ferson
“I loved being a part of homecoming court, it was a truly an incredible experience! I had so much fun doing it and hanging out with great people!”
“It was a very cool feeling by my peers and teachers to be chosen, I felt very proud to be a griffin, it was a very cool experience.”
Sierra Mattingly
Juliana Lupercio
Amyah Davis
Hayleigh Callahan
Montre Moore
Aidan Braman
Tanner Christy
Julian Rodgers
Hunter Murray
"It felt amazing just to be on prom court. It felt good to think of myself on the same level of others on prom court that I thought were so influential and important to me. Prom King was an insane surprise for me. It was so much fun and such a unique experience."
"It was such a good experience being crowned (as princess) with Sophia, even though she was crowned virtually."
MORP
“Representing the school and my class, and a fun opportunity to meet people.”
Rilynn rylinnMcClain-Small mclain small
Axel Alvarez
Gabriela Rodriguez
10
n e h T &
Now
Seniors recount a blast from their past with trends, games, and music. Remembering the good ol' days. The road is still long and many things are still yet to change. Taking a moment to recall the memories made from then to now.
e c n Pou &
Play
Seniors share pictures of their companions. These students submitted a fond memory of their pets that have accompanied them through this stage in their lives.
Clover Moreno and their cat Seamore Isabel Sedwick
THEN
Silly Bands
NOW TikTok
"I’ve had my cat since I was seven, and he’s like a therapy kitty. He’s always been there for me when I wasn’t feeling good or was sad. He would always meow at me then hop on my lap and purr. He’s such a sweet baby. I love him very much." Sierra Mattingly and her dog Pierre
Nadia Hawkins
THEN
The Black Eyed Peas
NOW
Brent Fayaiz
"My favorite memories with my pets is when I get home from being gone for a while. All three of my dogs are barking and whining at the door, and as soon as I come in they all pile up on top of me. Usually one of them pees on me too." Maria Bisby and her dog Mr. T
Thomas Cook
THEN
Call of Duty
NOW
"My favorite memory would have to be during Halloween. When I got him he did not like fake spiders, but when I acted scared he would bite it and take off with them."
Apex Legends Caleb Schmidt and his dog Charlie Brayden Mason
THEN
The Walking Dead
NOW
Family Guy
"My favorite memory of him was when he committed grand theft burger. We come back from Wendy's, I get on my Xbox halfway through eating my burger. I go to take a bite next, the burger's gone and my dog is giving me the dumbest "thanks for the food" look I have ever seen."
11
High School In One Word
"Community" -Alex Wesner
p "U n
re
"G
ta d ic
b
ro
le "
"Friends"-Kaitlyn Stevens
"Wild"-Danny Clevenger
"Stale"-Sergio Mccullough
"Thrilling"-Cassandra -"yzarC" Garcia
"Journey" -Sierra Mattingly "Adventurous "-Isabel Sedgwick "Draining"-Amyah Davis "Mediocre" -Zachary Abrahms "Memorable"-Brayden Mason
k o o C ni t ni w K
"Life"-Nadia Hawkins
"Long"-Aidan Braman
"Surprising"-Derek Walsh
"fun" -James Davis
r
ig
u
e
z
rew D a a l nt l ian D ya ie e r r B d b us" ta a o t a er e G s v s "nd tan t a e n "-A r l r o g p o il in h "S -A V nd "S a l h t s it ze ut e m a O k " S sby J c i r e B "r Br iphe aria n on la y s o el - J e n d " - M v hn ip E o " "B e ir n J ful" ble W a " n ss o r a e en r r Moving Out t e m lo e -B S " " h "M ood 12.5% wt
se -Jo
R
o
d
Out-Of State College 12.5%
ph
ab "F l
He
be
r
n r tl i
g
st ga
in
C g "-
y ore
G
In-State College 81.2%
Of Winnetonka Students Are Going To College Out-Of State
No Job 11.4%
Working For It 88.6% Of Winnetonka Students Have Jobs Has A Job 88.6%
Survey Says...
Inked Up
No Tattoo 44.4% Tattoo 55.6%
55.6% Of Winnetonka Students Have Tattoos
Eating Out 66.7%
Of Winnetonka Students Prefer McDonald's Over Five Guys Mcdonalds Fries 66.7%
Five Guys Fries 33.3%
12
Parking Lot Pizzazz
Seniors mark their spot with personality.
13
We're All in this Together
Once we know that we are, we're all stars . . .
14
Ain't No Pride Like Senior Pride! Winnetonka Seniors Show Tonka Pride.
15
#seniorsunday
Seniors Use the Hashtag Senior Sunday.
16
Wise Words "In reality, I'm 5'8 stand on my money now I'm 6'6."-Ermias Habtemicheal
"Life's like a sandwich, whatever way you flip it, the bread comes first."-Tanner Christy
“Do not procrastinate; also get involved.” -Brittany Evans “Keep your circle small and have fun.” -Bill Nguyen
"Dear future self, always remember who got you where you are today. If I still look this good in 10 years, I'll be happy."-Gabby Rodriguez
“I don’t know everything, I only know what I know.” -Nisio Isin
"Enjoy your time and don't focus on the little things."-Sophia Ferson
“Enjoy the time you have in high school and take every chance you get to live in the moment.” -Dorianna Braxton
"Once a Griffin, always a Griffin.” -Kaitlyn Stevens
17
May I have your autograph?
18
May I have your autograph?
19
May I have your autograph?
The Hill We Climb
by Amanda Gorman, Inauguration, January 2021 When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade We've braved the belly of the beast We've learned that quiet isn't always peace And the norms and notions of what just is Isn't always just-ice And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it Somehow we do it Somehow we've weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken but simply unfinished We the successors of a country and a time Where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one And yes we are far from polished far from pristine but that doesn't mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect We are striving to forge a union with purpose To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another We seek harm to none and harmony for all Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: That even as we grieved, we grew That even as we hurt, we hoped That even as we tired, we tried That we'll forever be tied together, victorious Not because we will never again know defeat but because we will never again sow division Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree And no one shall make them afraid If we're to live up to our own time Then victory won't lie in the blade But in all the bridges we've made That is the promise to glade The hill we climb If only we dare It's because being American is more than a pride we inherit, it's the past we step into nd how we repair it We've seen a force that would shatter our nation
rather than share it Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy And this effort very nearly succeeded But while democracy can be periodically delayed it can never be permanently defeated In this truth in this faith we trust For while we have our eyes on the future history has its eyes on us This is the era of just redemption We feared at its inception We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour but within it we found the power to author a new chapter To offer hope and laughter to ourselves So while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe? Now we assert How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us? We will not march back to what was but move to what shall be A country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation Our blunders become their burdens But one thing is certain: If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children's birthright So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left with Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west, we will rise from the windswept northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states, we will rise from the sunbaked south We will rebuild, reconcile and recover and every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful When day comes we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid The new dawn blooms as we free it For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it If only we're brave enough to be it