Griffin Rites Vol. 47 Issue 3

Vol. 47 Issue 3

November 30, 2016

TOSSING ASIDE A DIVERSE AMERICA

GRIFFIN RITES Winnetonka High School | Kansas City, Missouri

griffin

rites

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ISSUE 03 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ELECTION REACTION School officials provide proactive response to student’s needs

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BLEEDING RED AND GOLD Students give at semiannual blood drive

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LAND OF THE FREE HOME OF THE FEARFUL Students talk about their fear after the election

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BEHIND THE BREW Griffin Grounds changes perspectives

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TROYE SIVAN DRIVES KC WILD Fans get an unforgettable experience in Troye Sivan’s Suburbia Tour

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ALL THE WORK FOR ALL-DISTRICTS Griffin Grounds changes perspectives

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WINTER SPORTS New season showcases new talent

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STAFF Editor-in-Chief Copy Editor Photo Editor News Editor Features Editor A&E Editor

Rachel Adamson Alyssa Magrone Hayden Weathermen Kaitlyn Minet Katie Bullock Alyssa Magrone

Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Adviser

Clayre Barkema Asmaret Fissehaye Caroline Foster Shelby Hilburn Jessica Glaszczak Laura Williams

On the cover: the photo illustration represents how some people feel America is treating diverse opinions about the election results. Photo by RachelAdamson.

Photo illustration by HaydenWeathermen.

The Griffin Rites staff strongly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. Freedom of expression and press are fundamental values in a democratic society. The mission of any institution committed to preparing productive citizens must include teaching students these values, both by example and lesson. We welcome letters to the editor and reserve the right to edit them for grammar and length, but we will not change ideas. Letters may attack policies but not people. They must be signed and submitted to F6 or mailed to Mrs. Laura Williams attention at 5815 NE 48th St., Kansas City, Mo. 64119. Advertising space is also available. Please e-mail laura.williams@nkcschools.org or call 816-321-6527 for information. Our organization is a member of the Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City, Journalism Educators Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.

Eliminate anger; choose love and respect

Election results have pulled apart families, friends, classmates

| AlyssaMagrone

T

| editorial voice of the Griffin Rites staff

he American people need to stop seeing people as the candidate they voted for and stop acting like a nation of angry citizens talking to brick walls.

It is no question that politics tend to split people apart, but this particular election season left the American population completely split with hate, each side choosing to disregard and ignore the other side.

Those who land in the mid-ranges of the political spectrum are being pressured to pick one side or the other based on biased views arising from family, friends, news and social media.

Currently, depending on the news station, extreme protests or anti-protests are being aired. Instead of seeing prayer circles and often silent and organized rallies, the average American watching televised news will only be exposed to the rather violent and hateful approaches extremists on both sides have taken.

There are voices who claim the reason media only covers violent protests is because they are newsworthy and the peaceful protests simply are not. While it is important to warn and inform the public of dangerous events, this faulty logic only shuts the doors of open minds.

People who only allow themselves to see this negative coverage are more susceptible to stereotyping and using this information to validate their opinion. But in reality this creates a roadblock due to failure to recognize the less extreme sides.

Many Americans view the extreme antiTrump protests and come to the assumption that all Clinton supporters are “crybabies.” Or, they create memes with the photo of a large protests with the slogan “This is what happens when you give a child a trophy for losing.” This contributes to the hate being spread in not only televised media but social media as well.

People’s newsfeeds on social sites such as Facebook and Twitter are congested with hateful statuses and Tweets from both sides with statements like “If you voted for or support Trump/ Hillary, delete me as friend.”

Not only are friends and family being erased digitally, but some angry people are claiming not to go to holiday dinners due to the potential corruption of political arguments.

People need to resist letting the extreme opposite views and opinions of others perpetuate their actions and behaviors and learn to have a mind of their own. If there is any way to end hate, it is to show love and respect.

Every person can value someone else’s opinions, even if those opinions are vastly different.

People need to look past political views and see that behind each political comment is a living, breathing human being. This is the only way to help tear down the wall of ignorance and hate that many American citizen’s have built in their mind.

EDITORIAL | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY RACHEL ADAMSON

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Day of tolerence encompasses election reaction School officials provide proactive response to help students overcome

| graphics by KatieBullock

By Shelby Hilburn

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everal staff members held a meeting in the Little Theater on Nov. 16 as part of the annual Day of Tolerance for students who had concerns regarding the election results. This was just one of several steps the school leaders took in the wake of student response which ranged from tears to anger, from indifference to happiness

“We wanted it to be a place where students could feel safe to talk about those things openly and know there are people in the building who support them,” counselor Tabitha Todd said.

According to senior Randall Jackson, things would be different if Democratic Party Nominee Hillary Clinton had won the election.

“Trump supporters would be a lot more upset because they think America is on the downfall,” Jackson said.

Jackson fears about his friends’ safety but has no fear for himself.

“I’m personally not worried about myself,” Jackson said. “I’m more worried about how people may treat my friends.”

The results of the Day of Tolerance meeting came out positive. English teacher James Hawes was one of the several teachers who volunteered to facilitate the event.

“I thought it went great,” Hawes said. “The small groups is when everything started to jive, especially after some of the teachers opened up about their thoughts.

Nearly all the students said they wanted to

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do this again and I would agree.”

Social studies teacher Jessie Shepherd suggested the idea of the meeting and thought it would be a more productive way for students to express their feelings.

The day after the election, students received mass emails referencing the election. The first email said, “Trump’s not racist, we’re not going to die.”

What followed was a lengthy, sometimes inappropriate, conversation via mass emails. Assistant principal Dwayne Smith addressed these emails, the result of students using the all-grade-level student distribution list.

“We wanted to teach students good digital citizenship, responsibilities and when it is appropriate to email someone and when is it not appropriate,” Smith said.

The day after the election, principal Matt Lindsey took a proactive approach by asking the staff to reassure students and parents that the school was still a safe place for students.

“Winnetonka High School is still going to work as hard as it can to deliver a first class educational experience for all students,” Lindsey said in an email to staff. “Regardless of what is going on in our society, Winnetonka High School is a stable, consistent, secure place to be and to learn from extraordinary people.”

Senior Ethan Beumer believes everyone overreacted to the election.

“Everybody needs to unite and give him [Trump] the support that he needs

NEWS | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY SHELBY HILBURN

to have a successful presidential term,” Beumer said.

Todd thinks everyone deserves to be treated equally and get the support they deserve.

“I never tell someone they’re overreacting to something,” Todd said. “Whatever fears or feelings they have come from their own experiences and backgrounds. I never want someone to think their own fears or concerns are not important.”

Beumer does not agree with all of the riots and protests going on and does not think they will help society.

“I don’t think it’s [the protests and riots] going to accomplish anything at this point,” Beumer said. “I trust our democracy and voting is the best way to express your opinion.”

Because of the reactions to the election, several students, including senior Kiara DeVine started more frequent school prayer circles to help calm the fears that many were having.

“We started it my sophomore year to uplift people,” DeVine said. “A lot of people don’t feel comfortable praying so they ask us to pray for them. Recently, we started back up because with the election a lot of people are afraid. I wanted to help people. I was afraid too.”

Devine said that everyone is welcome to join in the prayer circle and they meet before school at around 7 a.m in the Little Theater.

ADS | TONKANEWS.COM

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Bleeding

red and g ld

Students give at semiannual blood

By Jessica Glaszczak

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n Nov. 9, students and staff donated 49 units of blood during the blood drive, hosted by student council.

Although there was a decrease in the amount of blood donated compared to the blood drive last spring, student council teacher Bradley Anderson said there were many new donors.

“It’s just there were a lot of firsttime donors which take a lot more time,” Anderson said. “They had 33 first-time donors, which is pretty awesome to have. So next time they go, it should be a little quicker. Hopefully we can get a lot more people in.”

Students said that they donated blood in order to help the people who need it.

“With the blood they took out

of me, they could save three other people,” junior Hannah Hernandez said.

Donating blood is worth the time, according to junior Allison Scales.

“I think it’s pretty cool that just donating one time is actually going to help a lot of people and just doing something for an hour and a half is going to help somebody for hopefully a lifetime,” Scales said.

Students are literally seeing the big impact they can make by donating blood.

“It’s kind of weird because it’s like that blood was inside of me at one point,” sophomore Montserrath Damian said. “It’s kind of like they’ll have a tiny part of me.”

According to Anderson, the goal for the upcoming spring is to sur-

pass the amount of blood donated last spring.

“Last spring, I think we had 84 units donated, which is pretty awesome, the highest that we’ve ever had. So we’re hoping to beat that this coming spring,” Anderson said.

The blood drive allows students to donate without having to pay out of pocket. The only cost to donating blood is time and a slight sting of a needle.

“For students especially, they usually don’t have a lot of extra income to give away to donate to people, but the blood drive is the time to go, to help others without having to spend that money,” Anderson said. “It’s just a little bit of time and a little bit of blood and a way to give to help save lives.”

Senior Kamryn Cain giving blood on Nov. 9 at the school blood drive. Photo by RachelAdamson.

Sophomore Montserrath Damien looks to the sky while giving blood at the blood drive on Nov. 9. Photo by RachelAdamson.

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NEWS | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY JESSICA GLASZCZAK

Senior Cole Ryan makes a face getting blood drawn on Nov. 9 at the school blood drive.

Photo by RachelAdamson.

FINDING HOME

By Caroline Foster

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innetonka’s theatre department explored the bond of family and home in its fall musical, “In the Heights” performed Nov. 17-19.

The entire show was filled to the brim with fastpaced rap, music, hip hop dance, and real scenarios that happen every day.

Main character Usnavi, played by Eldridge Villegas, is a young man who was given his parents store and is now trying to survive in Washington Heights, New York.

Then there is Nina Rosario, the smartest girl in Washington Heights. After

her freshman year at Stanford, she comes home with a secret she hides for the fear of failing her parents. With her childhood friend, and now employee of her father, Benny, she has to face the truth.

Together, the small little neighborhood fights to see the next sunrise with the power of community.

Also starring Maddie Fields as Vanessa, Francesca Valente as Abuela Claudia, Derrick Lewis as Benny, and Warren Lemuel as Sonny, “In the Heights” is a story about perseverance and living life to the fullest.

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4 1. Senior Eldridge Villegas performing during the musical on Nov. 14. Photo by CarolineFoster.

2. Senior Francesca Valente in the musical “In the Heights” on Nov. 14. Photo by CarolineFoster.

3. Senior Kali Holman acting in the musical on Nov. 14. Photo by CarolineFoster.

4. In the Heights cast members performing a song on Nov. 14. Photo by CarolineFoster.

ETC | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY RACHEL ADAMSON

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Land of the Free Home of the

By Rachel Adamson and Katie Bullock

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" was scared," a transgender student who has asked to remain anonymous said. “My friends were scared.”

He had been watching the election since it began airing on Nov. 8.

According to him, it was around 2 a.m. when he began to feel hopeless.

“I was panicking,” he said. “I knew he [Trump] would win and I felt sick to my stomach.”

He was one of millions tuning into live coverage of the election results. Junior Afron Abdi was also watching.

“I was watching it with my family, and Trump was leading but I was like, she [Clinton] is probably going to pull through, so I just fell asleep,” Abdi said. “When I found out Donald Trump won I was disappointed. I didn't know that so many people would support someone who isn't the best leader our nation could have."

Senior Esmeralda DeLeon was also watching as the election results

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Fearful unfolded in front of her on T.V.

“I didn’t understand," DeLeon said. "I thought this country would choose someone who has the knowledge of how to run a country.”

F or Abdi, the election has been terrifying not because of Trump's presidency but because of the hatred that she has seen unfold around her in the recent months. “ I’m not necessarily scared of him [Trump], just the mindset he has instilled and encouraged in his supporters,” Abdi said. "He proved that you can say all of these disgusting things and still have people like and support you. That is what [I am]

FEATURE | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY KATIE BULLOCK

Three students talk about their fear after the presidential

Pictured is junior Afron Abdi | Photos by KatieBullock

afraid of."

Abdi claims to have felt this hatred before because she is a Muslim, but the election has only made the feeling worse.

“I am African American. I am female. I am Muslim. I have heard the whole ‘she’s a terrorist,’ thing before. It’s common now. I’m used to it,” Abdi said.

“But this is America. This country is built on different cultures and different religions. So how can you say you want to ban Muslims from coming to this country when Muslims are a part of this society?”

According to the anonymous student, not only is it the hate that makes this election frightening but also the proposed infringement upon American rights.

“For so long I wasn’t allowed to be my authentic self and express myself how I wanted to,” he said.

“I was put into a box and I wasn’t allowed out because people didn’t approve of me, but I’m finally in a place where I can openly be myself. I don’t have to hide. I can get on the road to transition. I was really looking forward to that but with him [Trump] becoming president I’m afraid. It scares me that I won’t be able to get what I need.

The thought of being so close and then going backwards is heartbreaking.”

However, he is not just scared for himself, he is also scared for his friends.

“All of my friends are either people of color or part of the LGBTQ community, [they] are part of marginalized groups,” he said. “Some are terrified of their families being deported.”

One of those people is DeLeon, whose mother came to America illegally from Mexico. Although her mother is safe

under current policy, if those policies were to be revoked, then her mother's future would be uncertain. Since the election, DeLeon has begun to fear for her family's security.

“My mom came over here illegally.

She has her green card now, but that doesn’t mean that she is for sure here because her green card

expires every ten years,” DeLeon said. “If something were to ever happen to my dad and she didn’t get it renewed she would just be here illegally so deportation would be possible.”

As a result of growing up watching her working mother contribute to the community, DeLeon feels strongly that immigration is a source of culture and

progress in America.

“The more people that come over here the more diverse [America] is, the more you get to see other cultures,” DeLeon said. “I don’t see why everyone is so eager to kick everyone out when without Mexicans, half of the buildings wouldn’t be made. Having that diversity is way better than having just one culture here.”

DeLeon believes that America is leaving its name as the ‘land of opportunity,’ behind with its refusal to allow the integration of other cultures.

“We define the United States as a free country where there are more opportunities," DeLeon said. "We say this is the American Dream but yet we don’t allow anyone here.

We don’t allow culture here.

We don’t allow anyone else [but ourselves], and we need to."

DeLeon believes the only way to bring America together is to accept everybody, including Trump. “ We have to show respect to him because he’s our President,” DeLeon said. “Be accepting, be open-minded to everybody.”

The anonymous student believes that now is the time to preserve American citizen’s rights and pleads for America to come together aand stand with one another.

Since the election, people feel like there is no hope left. It’s just scary and they're filled with fear,” he said. “But this is a call to come together. People should really stand up for one another and be there for one another during this time because bigotry, homophobia and islamophobia should never be normalized.”

FEATURE | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY KATIE BULLOCK

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On average, about 80 to 90 students visit Griffin Grounds on a daily basis.

Griffin Grounds can make anywhere from 10 to 40 deliveries in a day.

On average, about 40 teachers visit Griffin Grounds on a daily basis.

90% of students grab a creamer on their way out!

Behind the Brew

Griffin Grounds changes perspectives

By Katie Bullock

B

ehind every order of coffee from Griffin Grounds there The is a story, a student. A top selling blend of coffee is student like freshman the KC Blend followed Caleb Smith, who is not by the Vengence that different from evSales have blend. mostly stayed conerybody else despite the sistant in the weeks fact that he is in a special Griffin Grounds has been open, avereducation class.

35% of aging at about sales have $750 a “Being in a SPED class week been Hot helps me a lot,” Smith said. “I Chocolate struggle if I’m in a big crowd with other kids who are acting up because I get overwhelmed and then I start doing that.”

On Smith has been working at Griffin Grounds since the coffee shop average, Grifopened three months ago in the lifin Grounds brary. Created as a way to fund inmakes about centives for positive behavior and as an alternative work skills class for spe$151.33 a cial education students, Griffin Grounds day! is also changing student’s perception of the special education department.

“It’s really fun to work there. I get to have more conversations with people which is cool because I’m a really friendly person and I love talking to everybody but it’s something I just don’t really get the chance to do all the time,” Smith said.

Special education paraprofessional Larry Magariel has seen a change in his students’ behavior since they have started working at Griffin Grounds.

“It’s teaching kids how to interact with other kids who are in the mainstream,” Magariel said.

“It’s helping them to communicate better, they feel more at ease.”

Grounds Sophomore Destiny Fossett, who has been

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working alongside Smith since the opening of Griffin Grounds, agrees that being able to meet new people is the best part of working there.

“We get to communicate with other students in the school and make friends with them which is really cool,” Fossett said. “We also make and deliver all the coffee orders.”

Griffin Grounds is more than just a coffee shop, it is also an integral part of the special education department’s funding and a deciding factor in the opportunities that are awarded to students within the department.

“We got to go on a field trip two weeks ago, rollerskating, because of money we got from the coffee shop,” Fossett said. “It was really fun. Getting to work at the coffee shop teaches us how to work and then it lets us do other things that we or the school or our teachers want us to do.”

Senior Cayla Adamson also works at the coffee shop. She is one of just two students who work there that do not take special education classes, although she enjoys visiting the special education classrooms.

“I love spending time with them [students in the special education program],” Adamson said.

“It’s really nice to be able to step out of my stressful school life and just go to them. When I see them they come up to me and give me hugs. Whenever I walk into the SPED room it’s like walking into another world. They’re the nicest, most loving people in the world.”

Adamson is not alone. According to Magariel more and more students have begun to take an interest in the special education department.

“Students are talking to them in classes now, talking to them in hallways,” Magariel said. “They come by [Griffin Grounds] in the morning and just sit down with them.”

According to Adamson, students within the special education program do not get the recognition they deserve.

FOCUS | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY KATIE BULLOCK

Freshmen Caleb Smith working in the Griffin Grounds coffee shop on Nov. 14. Photo by RachelAdamson

“I feel like Tonka has looked at these students and stereotyped them as dumb, but they’re not, they’re very intellectual,” Adamson said. “I feel like we think that they’re weird or don’t like us or can’t relate to us but it’s not like that at all. They’re nice, they’re loving, they’re really funny and they talk like crazy. They’re just like us except a thousand times nicer.”

Smith himself said that he has felt the effects of generalizations about students in special education classes.

“I wish people would be more comfortable around us, that they’d be nicer, because we’re just like everyone else,” Smith said. “I mean we really do struggle to blend in with everyone, so it’s kind of hard on us when people make fun of that and think we don’t notice because we do notice, but we just can’t change even if we’re trying our best.”

But according to Smith, Griffin Grounds may be helping to change that false perception.

“Now that I work [at Griffin Grounds] people have been nicer. They say hi when they see me in the halls,” Smith said. “I think they’re starting to realize that I’m friendly, I like to talk, I’m just like them.”

Fossett has also felt the effect of Griffin Grounds since she started working there.

“I think students are treating us a little bit

nicer since the coffee shop opened than they used to,” Fossett said. “They’re realizing that we’re the same as them.”

For Adamson, the impact of the coffee shop on Tonka’s student population is clearly visible.

“They used to be kind of like outcasts.

They didn’t really have any friends outside of each other because no one paid them attention, but Griffin Grounds is changing people’s perception,” Adamson said.

“This coffee shop has opened up doors for the SPED kids because it gives them the chance to communicate with other people throughout the school. They’re finally seen.

They run the front desk and interact with all the students and staff and have daily conversations with them. Tonka is finally beginning to see that these kids are more than just ‘SPED students.’”

Adamson, Fossett, Magariel and Smith all have the same wish, for more students to start conversations with those in special education classes and for not only Tonka but also the rest of the world to see these students for who they really are.

“I think Griffin Grounds is helping Tonka students see them for the first time,” Adamson said. “I think it’s showing us that they are not their disability, that they’re just like you and me.”

See more at tonkanews.com

Art Club Involvement

What is Griffin Grounds

New mugs and blends | Graphic by ClayreBarkema

FOCUS | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY KATIE BULLOCK

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By Clayre Barkema

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n Troye Sivan’s Suburbia Tour, fans will get the personal experience with Sivan that they had only previously felt when he would make YouTube videos. Sivan’s performance in Kansas City was no different. The 21-year-old indie pop singer captured the hearts of every individual in the audience from the moment he got on stage to the moment he left.

The opening act, Astrid S, blew away the crowd with her upbeat songs and happy attitude. The Norwegian singer was excited to share her birthday with fans and in a city that reminded her of home. This filled the audience with pride for their hometown.

Before her final song, Sivan surprised her with a birthday cake and led the crowd in singing her “Happy Birthday.”

During her final song, she smashed the cake on her face and was laughing so hard she could not sing.

After her performance, there was a bit of a lull while the stage crew cleared the stage of the extra drum kit and unwanted cake scraps. As soon as the lights went off, the audience was screaming and cheering and did not stop until after the concert.

Sivan’s performance started off with a pre-recorded personal quote with the thumping of the bass in time with flashing lights. As soon as the music picked up, Sivan ran on stage with a huge smile on his face, singing the song “WILD.”

Sivan’s style of dancing fits with his quirky personality, swinging his hips and tapping his feet in time to the music.

During slow and emotion packed songs, the stage would go dark except for a single spotlight from behind Sivan. This allowed viewers to see Sivan’s figure through his oversized t-shirt, which is another example of Troye’s eccentric character.

Sivan’s performance visually engaged the crowd and connected them in a whole new way. LED screens behind Sivan brought visuals that made viewers think differently about the lyrics they were hearing. During the song “Heaven,” the audience could tell that the emotion they heard was not what

was meant to be felt. Sivan seemed happy and upbeat during a song that fans thought to be filled to the brim with sadness and struggle. He even told the audience that the song told a different message than he wanted it to, saying the song wanted to be somber but he didn’t mean for it to be.

One of the best aspects of the show was when Sivan frequently chatted with the audience. The most personal of these chats was when Sivan discussed the details of his day in Kansas City. This allowed audience members to feel unique and original, not as if Sivan had a scripted speech.

Before his performance of “Happy Little Pill,” which meant more to Sivan than meets the eye, he thanked the audience by saying that he owes them his success and it all started with this single.

Not a single soul wanted the concert to end, but as Sivan performed “Lost Boy” and his radio hit “Youth,” fans knew the end was coming.

“We have a special surprise for you tonight,” Sivan said.

“We have never done this song live before. This is our last song. You guys have been awesome.”

The music began for “Swimming Pools” and the theater erupted in a hysterical fit of screams. The performance of the beloved song, was anticipated by the entire fanbase to be performed live since Sivan announced his tour. Fans in Kansas City were lucky enough to be the first to experience the breathtaking performance before anyone else.

After the music stopped and Sivan left the stage, the crowd was frozen in shock. The song moved the crowd to a stand-still. The audience was left speechless.

Overall, thanks to the small setting, Sivan’s performance was personable, engaging and emotionally moving. Fans already know that Sivan pours his heart and soul into everything he does and to the fans amazement he puts even more blood, sweat and tears into his music and performance. Even so, Sivan was able to put meaning into his show while keeping it appropriate for most people past the age of 13.

Sivan’s Suburbia Tour performance in Kansas City deserves an A.

Photo courtesy Troye Sivan’s “WILD” album cover.

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ENTERTAINMENT| TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY CLAYRE BARKEMA

All the work for All-Districts

Band, choir and orchestra students advance to

By Kaitlyn Minet

O

ne clarinetist. One tubist. Two mixed choir singers. Three women’s choir singers. One men’s choir singer. One cellist. Three violinists. One violist. These are the students who made it into the All-Districts band, choir and orchestra. All-Districts is a representation of the school in the musical arts on a regional level.

Band On Nov. 5, sophomore Isabella Middaugh on the clarinet and junior Dillon Osborne on the tuba walked away from the All-District band auditions, reJunior Dillon Osborne playceiving a spot ing the tuba in the homecoming parade on Sept. 23. in the HonPhoto by RachelAdamson. orable Mention band.

Band teacher Ron Fortune says students who get into either the All-Districts or the Honorable Mention band should feel honored.

“Both are extremely good bands, they’re made up of the best players in the Kansas City area,” Fortune said. “It’s a very difficult challenge. All of our students did a great job.”

Middaugh has been practicing with a private teacher for years to further her skills.

“I’ve been taking private lessons since 7th grade and I’ve been working really hard ever since,” Middaugh said.

Middaugh and her peers spent hours preparing.

“We sometimes use intervention time and have people come in and do a fake audition,” Middaugh said. “But I usually practice on my own. I’m more of a solo person.”

Her practice clearly paid off as this is the second year Middaugh has made All-District band.

“She’s probably been working on this since this summer,” Fortune said.

Choir

Orchestra

On Oct. 1, six choir students auditioned On Nov. 5, five orchestra students earned and earned placement into one of the a chair in the All-District orchestra. three All-District choirs: men’s, women’s Violinist sophomore Mattie Peter was and mixed. one of those five students along with sophSenior Katherine Olawaiye earned a omore Katie Bullock on the cello, senior spot in the women’s choir along with se- Riley Davison on the violin, sophomore niors Maddie Fields and Kiara DeVine. Jessica Glaszczak on the violin and freshJunior Jackson Mattingly and sophomore man Kelsey Cowden on the viola.

Lana Moerer earned a place in the mixed Peter earned a higher chair than last choir and junior Kyle Hayden in the men’s year, but additionally she earned the highchoir. est chair of any violin player from WinOlawaiye began preparing as soon as netonka in the last twenty years. she could.

“I’m really honored that I made it,” “Right when I heard about this I Peter said. “I made it last year also but I started practicing because I already knew got a much higher chair this year.”

Elam [choir teacher] was going to have me According to orchestra teacher Henry sign up for it,” Olawaiye said. “I practiced Bullock, he does not need to help Peter as about an hour or two a day.” much as other students.

Olawaiye feels that All-District au“Mattie worked primarily with a priditions are much harder than normal re- vate teacher. I did very little with her,” hearsals because of the lack of a group.

Bullock said. “I just gave her a very mini“It’s [All-Districts auditions] more in- mal amount of finishing advice and made tense because it’s one-on-one,” Olawaiye sure her instrument and strings were in said. “When you’re in a choir, it’s harder prime condition.” for him [choir teacher Jason Elam] to hear Teamwork and dedication played a individual mistakes or things he needs to big role in the success of the students who fix.” made it into the All-District orchestra as The All-District results are a way for well as those who did not.

Olawaiye to measure her progress.

“Our orchestra students are very en“For me it’s a nice personal record so I couraging to each other. They work very know how good I’m doing closely with each and if I need to fix anyother to achieve thing,” Olawaiye said. their goals,” BullElam is satisfied with ock said. “All of the results. the students that “Just to have kiddos earned seats in make it into these ensemthe orchestra did bles is a big deal and I’m so as a team. I extremely proud of all of am very proud them as well as the ones of them all, and who put themselves out Choir teacher Jason Elam leading students also proud of the there to audition,” Elam including junior Jackson Mattingly (left) ones who didn’t said. through the Alma Mater at the football earn seats.” game on Oct. 14. Photo by KaitlynMinet.

ARTS | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY KAITLYN MINET

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WINTER SPORTS

By Caroline Foster and Asmaret Fissehaye

Wrestling The wrestling team does not just want to qualify for state tournaments but they want to bring back medals this season to show for their accomplishments.

“We have a few new teams and competitions new to our schedule this year,” head wrestling coach Ryan Lowry said. “We will be hosting three home duals in addition to our two day varsity tournament that is on Jan. 20 and 21.”

This year there is a proposition to move away from wearing the traditional singlet for wrestling.

“However coaches across the country are making a push to allow for a new style of competition-wear besides a singlet, which is the only legal uniform currently,” Lowry said. “We are looking to allow for an MMA-style attire with a compression shirt and loose-fitting shorts to become legal competition attire in the next year or two."

One of their goals from last year is to have a full varsity line-up.

“Our numbers are way up from last year but we are still looking for more of the 106120 pound wrestlers,” Lowry said. “We have around 48 wrestlers right now, which is much better than the 18 we ended with last year, but we could always use more.”

Lowry believes the wrestling team is doing better this season.

“We are off to a great start compared to last year,” Lowry said. “The guys are working hard to prepare for the first competition, the Oak Park JV on Saturday Nov. 26 and the Pleasant Hill Quad on Nov. 29 for varsity.”

People can support the wrestling team by purchasing merchandise.

“There will be new gear for sale in our online store,” Lowry said. “Be watching the student announcements or ask a wrestler for more on this.”

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1. Senior Michael Aquino gives some advice to his younger brother, freshman Jordan Aquino during practice after being able to overpower Jordan in a short amount of time. Photo by CarolineFoster.

2. Sophomore Joelle Egeland gets ready to pass the ball during practice. Photo by AlyssaMogrone.

3. At the basketball jamboree, Winnetonka scores a point on Oak Park with a jump shot made by junior Der'Ruan Brown. Photo

by AshlynBunch.

4. Sophomore Carli Crum reaches for the wall as she finishes one of her practice laps. Photo by KatieBullock.

5. At the September pep rally, dancers Makayla Cambiano, Roselena Rodriguez and Maddie Fields show off their moves to the school. Photo by PaytonStephenson.

SPORTS | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY CAROLINE FOSTER

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3 Boys and Girls Basketball Girls basketball has new additions this season including new players, coach and plays to lead them to a successful season. Sophomore Marquis Owens, who plays point guard, is adjusting well to new coach Brock Tiefenbrunn.

“The new coach is really good and helpful,” Owens said. “I like the fact that he checks our grades and checks up on us to keep us on top of our schoolwork.”

Owens wants be more involved with the team and act more as the frontrunner this season.

“My goal is to take on more leadership roles and be a better teammate for my team,” Owens said.

With a busy schedule filled up to the brim with competitors, boys basketball coach Todd Magwire has big plans for this season.

“I’m counting on our seniors such as Ethan Beumer, Levi Brown, Darius Campbell, Daulton Freeman, and Ajak Tong to be great leaders,” Magwire said. “If they set the tone and lead by example by working hard with great attitudes, this could be a great season.”

The main goal for this season is to compete for conference championships and to keep advancing throughout the course of every game.

“This summer and fall we had great preparation in the weight room and conditioning,” Magwire said. “Our boys have worked extremely hard and I feel we could surprise some people this year.”

Girls Swim and Dive

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The swim team is starting out the season with almost double the girls as last year and is planning to come back stronger as a team.

Dive team has only a few members this year, but senior diver Sally Dishman is planning to get better and better.

“I think the hardest part about dive for me is the mentality part of it,” Dishman said. “Dive is a crazy sport and some crazy things can happen which scares me a little, so it’s hard to forget about that sometimes and just remind myself that I can do it.”

Sophomore Carli Crum is excited to be reunited with her teammates.

“A lot of us have been swimming together for a really long time and it’s nice to be back together,” Crum said.

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Dance As more pep rallies approach, the dance team practices at least twice a weak to make sure they are ready.

Senior team captain Mya Riley is excited for the new dance season even though she is having a difficult time with time management and getting ahead on her studies.

“My goal is to accomplish a place in state,” Riley said. “We’re working extremely hard for it right now despite our small numbers.”

Since this is her last year, Riley hopes to leave a legacy so that the dance team will keep on living.

“I think that the hardest thing about this year is knowing I won’t be seeing my teammates once I leave,” Riley said. “I’ll miss the family atmosphere. They’re like my sisters.”

SPORTS | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY CAROLINE FOSTER

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Tumbling into second Determination and hard work go a long way 1 1.The Winnetonka cheer team displays the trophy after placing second at the state competition at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo., on Nov. 5.

Back row left to right: Cassie Pedrino, Jayla Howard, Aubrey Tolander, Emily Harper and Madison Renfro. Middle row left to right: Makenzie Jackson, Miah Ashley, Anna Timmermeyer, Emily Grady and Skyla Daniels.

Bottom row left to right: Jessica Gebauer, Madison Burlington, Zoe Goss, Susie Dackorson, Sally Dishman and Grace Taylor. Photo courtesy Miah Ashley.

By Hayden Weathermen

D

ue to the cheer team’s determination and hard work, they were able to place runner-up at the state competition on Nov. 5 at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo. From cheering at football games to cheering about school spirit, the cheer team has had to transition into competition cheer.

“There’s a huge difference,” senior Susan Dakorson said. “Cheering at football games is just getting spirit, cheering on your team. Competition is more competitive. It’s more crazy stunts and out of breath routine, pushing yourself the whole time to get through it.”

The drive within the cheer team helped them reach their desired goal to place well at state.

“We had more practices. We really had to push ourselves because we were all

getting irritated at each other,” sophomore Makenzie Jackson said. “We just had to stay together as a team and push each other.”

Dakorson believes that co-captain senior Zoe Goss helped to isolate the mistakes to improve the team’s routine.

“Zoe is very encouraging and they [coaches] just motivate us to keep on trying and pick out the wrong things that we are doing to make us a better team,” Dakorson said.

The team worked hard to perfect their routine and cheers over the summer.

“We have gotten so much better with our stunts and jumps since we started our season back in April,” head coach Amber Stichler said.

All of the girls came together throughout the year to create team chemistry.

“Our bond was already strong,” Dakorson said. “We were a pretty close

team. We’re like a really goofy team. I felt we always had a bond together.”

All the hard work that the team put in was worth it after hearing the results of state.

“It was such a great feeling to know that all of the hard work actually went to something and wasn’t just pointless,” Jackson said.

One of the keys to the girls’ success was the work they put in during their practices.

“I think they were able to accomplish this by working hard and focusing on what they needed to do on the floor,” Stichler said.

The dedication of the whole cheer team has been shown throughout the season.

“It felt really good,” Dakorson said.

“It felt like all that hard work we have been through really paid off and I’m so proud of my cheer team.”

SPORTS | TONKANEWS.COM | PAGE BY HAYDEN WEATHERMAN

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