Issue 2

The Bagpiper October 2014

HOME OF THE SCOTS

Pg. 4 Scariest Experiences Pg. 6 &7 Homecoming Pg. 8 Walmart Welcome Pg. 10 Devon Wunder recovery

Art by: Alan Castillo

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October 2014

Meet the pub staff

We’re all feeling SOAR Opinion By Liz Thompson

The schedule for SOARs study hall this year has people ranting for it to change back.

People don’t like the fact that we don’t have SOARs on Thursday for clubs, or that kids don’t have enough time too go to other classes to do work.

Being in pub staff it gets hard juggling everything that goes on. I have stories to write, I’m the president of a club, and I have senior meetings to go to. Having all of those things plus

homework to do during SOARs is really hard. I am not the only senior or student that doesn’t like the new SOARs. I do agree that it’s good that we matched up our schedule with the rest of the 501schools so that kids from other schools can come take classes here, but it messed up our SOARs activities.

Even teachers don’t like the change. It doesn’t give them enough time to give work, see kids, and help anybody.

Teachers want Thursday SOARs back. It gave time on Wednesday for homework and assemblies, and time Thursday for clubs.

Theatre teacher Scott Kickahefer said, “There isn’t enough time to work. It would be nice to keep it as a sacred time for getting help and special needs.”

From 9:35 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. we are on lock down and can’t go anywhere. Then from 9:50 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. we can go to other classes for

work or go to clubs. Which is not enough time to do much when a club will take up that whole time or even taking a makeup test. Then at 10:25 a.m. until 11:09 a.m. we go back to lockdown.

English teacher Teri Walton said “It would be great if we could have assemblies on special Fridays. With as many intelligent teachers and smart students we have here you would think we could think of a solution.”

October 2014

Aquaponics

Gardening with fish and plant life By: Alex Castillo Aquaponics is an indoor gardening program where together in the same habitat.

The program started in the Pine Ridge apartment complex in August of last year, as a way for kids to become more active said Trey George, Executive Director of Topeka Housing Authority.

The way it works is that

the bottom and the crops like cucumbers and peppers are

goes up to the soil together the water gets to the plants that’s when the water fertilizes the plants, and the plants clean healthy.

About 10 Highland Park students who volunteer go together with social worker Fred Willer to Pine Ridge apartments and help the E3 Aquaponics team change the water and clean the tanks.

They also help plant the crops that need to be planted.

Basil

Jonathan Carmona and Warren the tanks that are used to grow

Tomatoes

Authors Coming Author Angela Johnson will be visiting the Scots and the Topeka Public Library on Oct. 14.

She is the author of 40 books for children and young adults.

One of her notable books is “The First Part Last,” which

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won the Coretta Scott King Award in 2004.

Slam poet, Malcolm London of Chicago is coming to Highland Park November 7 to give workshops to students.

Slam Poet Malcolm London Photo credits to wbur.org and clevlandartsprize.org

Author Angela Johnson

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October 2014

When are you too Scariest Experiences By: Leigh Amado old for Halloween? Three students share their scary experiences and how they lived to By: Clayton Williams

Samantha Ford, Senior

Q: When are you too old to go trick-ortreating?

A: Never!

Q: Will you be going trick-or-treating?

Why? A: Yes, because it’s so fun.

Andres Vega, Junior

Q: When are you too old to go trick-ortreating?

A: When you can’t walk anymore.

Q: Will you be going trick-or-treating?

Why? A: Yes, because I can still walk.

tell the tale.

Cheyenne Hubbard, junior

Q: What happened and where did it happen?

A: I got shot at and I was in my house.

Q: Who were you with when it happened?

A: I was alone.

Q: How old were you?

A: I was 13 years old.

Q: What did you do afterwards?

A: I called my mom.

Danneicecia Stano, junior Q: What happened and where did it happen?

A: On our way to Kansas City there was a man standing on the road who kept saying he was a toll booth person. He tried to pull people over and get in people’s cars.

Q: Who were you with when it happened?

A: My mom, little brother, and I. Q: What was going through your head afterwards?

A: Wow this man is crazy.

Pedro Medina, Sophomore

Q: What happened and where did it happen? were really big and they were scary.

Q: How did it make you feel afterwards?

A: I was scared.

Q: Who were you with when it happened?

A: Javion Bullocks, Antonio Pead, Quay’ Shawn Akins, Armaud Battle, and James Spence.

Q: How old were you at the time it happened?

A: I was 13 years old.

Q: What was going through your head afterwards?

A: I kept pinching myself to see if it was real and if it really just happened.

Q: What did you do or where did you go afterwards?

A: I went home and sat on the couch and started watching the movie Halloween 2.

Halloween Favorites By: Paulina Rodriguez

Q: When are you too old to go trick-ortreating?

A: When you turn 16.

Q: Will you be going trick-or-treating?

Why? A: No, because I don’t feel like it and I’m 16.

Will Crawford, junior

October 2014

Costume Time

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By: Emily Novack

Costumes have changed a lot of the years.

It used to be throw a sheet over your head and you’re a ghost.

In recent years the costumes have gotten more elaborate and inappropriate.

The skirts have gotten shorter and the cleavage is showing

MAKE 59%

more. There’s less kitty costumes and more sexy kitty.

“Costumes aren’t about Halloween anymore,” said senior Bre’Anna Harvey.

“They’re now about being famous people or trying to have cute costumes instead of scary ones.”

Adrian Negrete stuck in a alligator mask.

vs. BUY costumes 45%

SUPERMAN vs.

32%

Adrian Negrete, Emily Novack and Lexie Fuqua as the Batman squad

BATMAN

68%

Based on a 100 person survey

Lexie Fuqua and Adrian Negrete modeling Michael Jackson jackets

Adrian Negrete in the Green Lantern

Tales of Rochester Cemetery By: Lexie Fuqua According to legend, in the 1800’s there was only one albino woman in the Topeka area. She was eventually killed in the Rochester Cemetery for being a witch, the plance where she now haunts.

She used to live in the area, visiting graves at night. Some say her spirit can still be seen roaming the area.

Lexie Fuqua as a pimp

Do you believe in the albino woman?

“I do not deny the existence of ghosts but I don’t know if she’s real,” said English teacher Shawn O’Brien.

“Sure. I believe anything is possible even aliens,” said junior Breona Pierce.

6 Homecoming October 2014

Tywuan McMurray and Destiny Pead

Monte Stevens and Jessenia Martinez

Michael Houghton and Kloey Hartzell

Antonio Vega and Brittany Fox

King and Queen

Christian and Natalie Rodriguez

October 2014

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Laseanissy Davis and Destiny Jackson Andre Stewart

Michael Haberkorn and Nicholas Taylor dressed as ninja turtles

William Robertson marches with the band

The dance team during the parade.

Vivian McMahan and Sopia Snepp give a boost to the scotsman

Homecoming Q/A Destiny Pead Q: How did you feel when you got nominated?

A: I was shocked and excited because I was excited to get dolled up

Jessenia Martinez Q: How did you feel when you got nominated?

A: I was surprised because I thought people didn’t like me.

Michael Houghton

The Big BOOM

Q: Why should your classmates vote for you?

By Keimara Darr A: I’m nice and I have a good As you all know the personality. homecoming game had to start at 4 p.m. because of technical

Antonio Vega

Q: Why should your classmates votes for you?

A: Because I am Italian

A transformer (electrical box) was struck by lightening so our stadium, concession stand, score board, and press box have no

electricity. problem is $100,000. but hopefully by next year,” said Jamie Cuevas athletic director.

8 Highland Park’s new neighbor Walmart awarded a $2,500 grant to the theater and science departments.

The manager at Walmart called Dr. Beryl New and suggested that the school apply for a grant that they were offering.

Dr. New applied and six weeks later she got a call back saying that we had won the grant.

“The money will

October 2014

HP welcomes new neighbor be used to purchase a new sound board for the theater department and science supplies for our science department,” said New. Upon request, the Scots Theater put on a show Oct 6 for all the Walmart employees and their families featuring the history of Highland Park.

History teacher, Freddy Maisberger spoke about the history of East Topeka and the

Highland Park Larry Gonzalez talked about the History of Hispanics in the school and

Teddy Bears For Hurting Kids The Teddy Bears for Hurting Kids organization started with a little girl from Topeka who was abducted and sexually assaulted within the last few weeks.

The organization supports children who have had tragic events happen in

their lives.

Teddy Bears for Hurting Kids received 581 teddy bears, of which Highland Park donated over 25 teddy bears and $30. The SADD program collected and donated items at the new Walmart on California from

other community members.

The objective is for when police come across kids that have been hurt or are going through some kind of tragedy to hand them a teddy bear for comfort and love.

By Sophia Snepp

community.

Teri Walton spoke about her life story and how Highland Park has changed her life.

Youth Entrepreneurs Regional Champion Junior Elijah Minson was the regional winner of a 30-second elevator speech competition.

An elevator speech is basically a 30-second introduction of who you are, said Kirsten Zamarripa, sponsor of the Youth Entrepreneurs It’s used when you meet an employer or someone who has greater power, Zamarripa said.

Minson was chosen after winning a classroom

competition. There are eight winners from each classroom.

The winners of each class got to compete at Top of the Tower at Bank of America’s elevator.

They went from the they had 30 seconds to speak. Minson was to introduce himself to the judge from Washburn.

Body & Sold will be 7 p.m. Oct. 23, 24, 25 in the auditorium.

Admission $5.

October 2014

Soccer team kick start

Cross Country

Robert Martin Foster goes in for a kick.

Tanner Cornwell and Sidney Kuhn running in the Topeka West invitational at Felker Park.

By: Lenny Baltazar The boys soccer record is 8 to 4 with the most recent winning game against Perry Lecompton.

Our top scorers are Armondo Carrillo Pinedo and Valente Carrillo Pinedo defender.

Our training has been going good said Martin-Foster.

For training we do scrimmaging and we get in groups of three and toss the ball at each other we also work on passing and running, he said.

I think our team’s training is good. It can be hard, you just have to motivate yourself to do it because in the end you will be better, said Tywuan McMurray, forward.

“What our team needs to work on is we need to motivate each other because it’s like once we lose they just don’t want to try anymore,” said McMurray.

By: Erica Willige Coach Freddy Maisberger really enjoys couching the cross country team because it’s also exercise for him when he runs at practice with them. He has been coaching for 15 years.

Q: How far does the team run a day?

A: At least four to four and a half miles in a day of practice.

Q: What time does practice usually start and end?

A: Technically starts at 3:15 but the team stretches before running and they 4:15.

Q: Does anyone have a personal best?

(Time wise) A: Best out of the girls is Cecilia Nuno with a time of 21:57.

Best out of the boys is Sidney Kuhn

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Ready For The Serve

Carley Flowers & Analisia Ramos getting ready.

By: Earl Wallace This year’s volleyball team is full of Senior Natalie Rodriguez said, “ The season is going better than last year attitude wise.”

The freshman girls are currently 4-7 as the season is coming to a close.

Freshman Jacqueline Cabello said, “We are having a very good season, I can’t wait until next year!”

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October 2014

Maintaining passion despite injury

By Earl Wallace Devon Wunder the returning starting running back/outside linebacker from last season was putting in the work over the summer to help change the tradition of Highland Park’s Football program.

He won the title MVP while attending a KC camp, which was just the start for him getting prepared for his junior season.

As he was hoping to turn things turned on him when he had a horrifying accident falling off the back of a truck ground, fracturing his skull.

He was unconscious for a few days.

Wunder was in the hospital for a week before being

released home. He continues to go to the doctors once every two months and doctors say he will be fully healed by November.

As a result of his head injury, Wunder lost his sense of smell, taste and is partially

deaf in his right ear. “ It’s like eating air because I don’t taste nothing,” Wunder said.

Doctors say he is cleared to play other sports this year, such as basketball and baseball.

Getting Into the Swing of Things

By Harley Vinsonhaler The girls tennis team has been has been a head coach working hard to get for tennis. better. Cori Herrera He said what he medaled in two likes about being tournaments placing a coach is getting third at Seaman and to build a stronger fourth at Hiawatha. relationship with the Doubles partners students. “It’s great Sabrina Nichols and to be a Scot,” Rogers Journey Bennett said. also placed fourth at Regional Hiawatha. tournaments are at The girls not only Shawnee Lake on keep busy, but Coach Saturday October 11.

Tom Rogers says he is busy too. This is the

“I feel like a beast trapped in a dungeon, it hurts my feelings man,” Wunder said after being asked how he feels about sitting out this season.

Even though he is able to play other sports he still wishes he could have played football this year because that’s where his heart is.

The team wearing the “DW” stickers on their helmet for their teammate shows brotherhood and how close they are as a team.

Wunder said, “ I learned to appreciate life more and not to take it for granted.”

Looking to next football season he said, “ I’m coming on a mission. I will unleash the beast.”

Football Faces Hardships

By Eduardo Gamez After a 55-6 loss to Hayden at homecoming, the team now has a record of 1-4. We caught up with Monte Stevens and asked him some questions about his views on this year’s football squad.

Q: Why is the squad struggling so much this year?

A:Everyone plays around in practice instead of taking it seriously.

Q: What does the squad struggle with most?

A:Our offense needs work.

Q:What can the squad do to improve the team offense?

A: We need to work as a team instead and not as individuals.

October 2014

Grabbing the Reins

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Sam Mercer and Haylee pose for the camera.

Sam Mercer perfecting her jumps.

by Carley Flowers Senior Sam Mercer has been riding horses for as long as she could remember, but she has been competing in English style riding since she was in the second grade.

Ever since she was a little girl she watched her grandma compete so she wanted to compete as well.

The competitions can be anywhere from Kansas, Missouri, and to Nebraska.

Mercer rides a horse named Haylee an appendix breed, which is a quarter horse/ thoroughbred cross.

Mercer had to train her horse by herself.

“It was very hard to train Haylee by myself. It took me about two years to train her,”

said Mercer.

The name of the competitions Mercer competes in are Hunter and Jumpers.

Hunter is judged on the etiquette of the rider and the movement of the horse. A jumper is purely timed and the rider tries not to knock down any rails. Mercer’s personal best in jumpers is a 4’6”.

For hunters Mercer wears a helmet, show shirts, breeches and tall boots. For jumpers she wears a polo, breeches and tall boots.

“The best part about competing is the bond with Haylee and jumping in general,” said Mercer.

Sam Mercer leading her

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October 2014

Homecoming Spirit

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2 1.Football players show spirit on 2. A bagpiper leads the Homecoming Parade followed by the ROTC color guard.

3. The dance team brings back the Bonnie Lassies, a group that used to perform the traditional Highland Fling dance, at the halftime show.

4. The Rattlers dance squad marches in the parade.

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RIP Scotsman The Scotsman statue that stood in front of the school for seven years is no more.

The base of the statue rotted away causing it to fall.

According to the Oct. 5, 2007 issue of The Bagpiper, the statue was carved from a 90-year-old tree in front of the school.

It took 15 hours and six chainsaws to create.