The Bagpiper DECEMBER 2014
HOME OF THE SCOTS
Volume 61, Issue 4
Art by: Alan Castillo
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December 2014
New Opportunities By: Lexie Fuqua Ten students from the 501 school district were selected to attend Westar’s Optimize Your Future Day on December 9. This experience will prepare students for jobs after high school. The students worked with a supervisor and followed up with an interview for those who want to continue in this
These ten were selected from about 30 applications from the entire district. The Highland Park students include: Deandre Phillips, Jamal Shabazz, Abdul McFoxx, Erin Rowzer, Brandon Leonard, Myles Dean, and G’Jakayla Rayton.
Cymbeline
By: Paulina Rodriguez
This spring, come watch the thrilling Shakespeare tale Cymbeline, played by the Highland Park cast. A mind-blowing story about the daughter of the British king, Cymbeline, who goes against her father’s wishes when she marries a lowborn gentleman instead of the king’s stepson. Filled with endless twists, this play will be shown on February 12, 13, and 14 in the auditorium at 7 p.m. CYMBELINE, King of Britain Peter Muraski QUEEN, Wife to Cymbeline CLOTEN, Son to the Queen by a former husband Derick Cosey IMOGEN, Daughter to Cymbeline Erin Rowzer POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, a Gentleman, Husband to Imogen Nathaniel Muriithi BELARIUS, a banished Lord, disguised under the name of Morgan GUIDERIAS & ARVIGARUS Sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the names of Polydore and Cadwal. supposed sons to Morgan Brandon Miller & Garyn Kickhaefer PHILARIO, friend to Posthumus Brendan McGinnis
IACHIMO, friend to Philario Colten Conner CAIUS LUCIUS, General of the Roman Forces Mr. Cuevas PISANIA, Servant to Posthumus
A Step Closer to the American Dream By: Juliet Diaz In a land that claims to be the land of the free, it has been an argument for the past years that it isn’t really living up to it’s word. Recently in the news, President Barak Obama has made a decision over immigration issues with the executive order. The executive Order is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), that was passed back in 2012 that allowed children of illegal parents, and are illegal themselves, who have been here for a number of years, to have permission to work here with a social security number. However, for adults, it’s an immigration policy that offers temporary legal status to millions of illegal immigrants. Alongside with stopping immigrants from being deported, it will also give them the ability to work in the
United States legally, allowing them to get a license. It would basically just extend the DACA that was originally just from students to adults. The amount of undocumented immigrants that will be covered by the action is estimated to be four million, according to The Migration Policy Institute. However, another 6.2 million undocumented immigrants would still be unprotected, since there are a total of 11.3 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States. The Executive Order will begin in January 2015. It’s something that, for many immigrants, opens the gates to a broader opportunity to living the American Dream.
CORNELIA, a Physician Emily Novack Two Ladies of Cymbeline’s Court Dy-Esha Risby & Lexie Fuqua HELEN, a lady attending on Imogen Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, a Soothsayer, Officers, Captains, Soldiers, Jailers, and other Attendants Thompson
President Barack Obama answers questions during a town hall on immigration at Casa Azafran community center in Nashville, Tennessee. December 9, 2014.
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DECEMBER 2014
Charitable Giving by Erica Willige Fred Willer does charitable giving and helps people in need year round. He does charitable giving because he believes it’s the right thing to do. He really enjoys doing it because to him giving is its own reward. Willer mostly helps HPHS students but also runs a clothing bank for the entire school district. In the past the ROTC students have helped. If anyone is interested in charitable giving, helping out or if you possibly need help, Mr. Willer is probably the best person to talk to and can be found in room 230.
Ways you can help and give: 1. By donating any clothes or shoes you may not like or wear anymore. 2. If someone is having a food drive, give them some cans that may be cluttering up your cabinets. 3. Donate toys you may having lying around. Some places like Wal-Mart have a box to donate new toys and gifts for the holidays.
Donation
Attention Seniors are you thinking of buying a senior salute? It’s not too late to reserve your salute!
The deadline for reserving a salute is December 19, with a low payment of $25, so come see Mrs. Hooper in room 225 before it’s too late.
Student Wins Award for Art Contest The Highland Acres Neighborhood Improvement Association had a contest for Highland Park’s students to make a bumper sticker
for East Topeka. Sophomore Janet Tellez won a 50-dollar gift card to Wal-Mart and bragging rights.
4 Will ROTC March On? December 2014
By Liz Thompson
enrollment requirements. Will the program end?
percent of the student population. This year the program has 60 kids, that’s 20 students less than the amount they need. They have groups of cadets going to Deeb says that he is expecting the number of kids joining will go up. Seniors Sophia Snepp, Kayleene very worried about what will happen to the program next year. They have spent The program has been a part of our school for 27 years. Over the years kids have been very happy to join but didn’t want to cut their hair or wear the blue uniforms.
allow students interested in our program to join for a semester without committing to the dress and appearance standers required to wear their uniform.
The program will not end next year, if the number of students enrolled goes up. If the numbers go up but don’t equal to the ten percent they need they will stay on probation until they get to their goal. As long as the group is improving in what they do they will still be a part of
Winter Driving Safety Tips
Lenny Baltazar
Winter is coming and here are some helpful tips for teen drivers for your safety from Steve Atherly auto tech instructor. When driving in winter slow down because the car won’t have as much traction. Atherly said, “Drive as if everyone is about to run into you.” If the car starts to skid or slide, steer onto the side of the road. Do not slam the brakes keep steering straight and slow apply pressure to park safely. If you were to get into an accident, park your car slowly as far away from the road as you can and call the police.
Prepare your vehicle for winter by:
Emergency items you should keep in your car…
Atherly’s best tip for driving is do not drive in bad weather unless its an absolute need. Always assume the worst.
Cracking down on
Hall Violations By Emily Novack Administration are cracking down harder on hall violations now more then ever. More kids are in the halls skipping class and causing drama. “On average a day there are 10 -20 kids hanging out on the stairwell. The halls are just a mess,” said English teacher Shawn O’brien “Kids should be in class and not in the halls being loud and wasting their educations,” said division principal Daniel Ackerman. Consequences for Hall violations 1) 30 minute detention 2) 30 minute detention 3) 60 minute detention 4) 60 minute detention NOTE: After hall violations #3 has been assigned, a student may be subject to the loss of ALL pass privileges in ALL classes.
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December 2014
What will you do when it snows? By: Carley FLowers
Elizabeth Artega, Freshman I am going to sleep and eat.
Lawrence Carter, Sophomore Dress up warmly and come to school.
Norma Arreola-Garcia, Freshman Make a snow angel and
Sabrina Kuhn, Junior Watch my dogs play in the snow and stay inside where it’s warm.
Alyssa Mattingly, Senior Go sledding and build a snowman. Antonio Vega, Senior go sledding and have
with my family. Deziree Henderson, Sophomore I’m just going to sleep.
Brett E Wilkins III, Junior Build a snowman with my sister and sip hot chocolate.
What are your plans for winter break? By: Lexie Fuqua
Haley Beutler, Freshman Spending time with family, reading, playing games and homework.
Dy-Esha Risby, Junior I’m going to my family’s farm.
Angel Munoz, Freshman Visiting my family and see my girlfriend.
Kelby Babcock, Junior Go to my fathers house and sleep.
Erin Rowzer, Sophomore I plan on going to Louisiana.
Alyssa Young, Senior I might go visit my mom who I haven’t seen in over a year
Derick Cosey, Sophomore I am going to see my family.
Hunter Thomas, Senior Hanging out with friends and family
6What’s The Worst Christmas December 2014
Present You’ve Ever Gotten? By Cindy Alfaro-Avila
“I always get clothes that I would never wear from distant family. It would be like turtle necks or something.” -Brandon Duval, Junior “I would love to answer this question for you but I honestly don’t have an answer for it. All I can say is that I’m very blessed to receive the things I get every Christmas. Not everyone in the world is fortunate to even receive a present, so I’m very thankful for this life.” -Eddie Mendez, Senior
“I got a gumball one year. It was inside an iPhone box that was inside of 5 more boxes.” -Clarissa Marin, Junior left our old one at the house we moved from. I wanted a pair of headphones.” -Erin Ford, Sophomore “The worst thing I have ever gotten was a Barbie doll when I was 14.” - Jackie Cabello, Freshman
Top Christmas Presents For him:
By Alejandro Castillo
Video games
Nike hoodie
For her:
Big teddy bear
Nike shoes
Beats headphones
Winter boots
Scarf and beanie set
PS4
Perfume
Cute hoodie
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December 2014
Must watch movies of the Holidays
Clause isn’t real?
6.9 After inadvertently
By Keimara Darr “I saw my grandma and grandpa wrapping gifts when I was four years old. I cried because they had lied to me. Then they told me the truth, gave me a candy cane, and sent me back to bed.” Jahlil Osby-junior
wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.
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“The Christmas of 1973 my older sister found presents in our parents’ closet and she told me Santa was really our parents.” Freddy Maisberger -history teacher
An 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind
“My mom told me when I was about nine years old. I didn’t really care though.” Justin Lawson -freshman
France for Christmas must defend his home against idiotic burglars.
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Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn’t quite understand the concept.
“I saw my aunt and mom wrapping gifts and I asked if those were my Christmas gifts. My step dad said ‘What did you see? Whatever you saw is what you’re not getting.’ Then I cried.” Natalie Rodriguez -senior
What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2015?
“I knew he wasn’t real when I made cookies for him and he didn’t eat them.” Reyes Galindo - sophomore
er help oth o t t n a “I w ften.” more o or, people ni l ison, ju -Angel A
stay n is to r o i t u l o s e “My r d neve me an the sa .” r change eppers, senio Jordan
P
“I want to become a better person mental y and physical y.”
more.” rdy any more a t e b o “Not ht, soph Christopher James, jun ior Ben Boatwrig
“I w a 15 p nt to av oints e bask a ga rage e me Alysia tbal .” in S erra
no, f reshm an
lose weight “I want to .” e to people and be nic , e or sophom -Erin Ford,
“To do g straight ood and get A’s.” Marvon Tibbs, f reshma n
tion ear’s resolu “My New Y ave a is to not h ecause I b resolution h through wit never fol ow them.” ins, senior -Imani Hugg
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November 2014
Best Christmas Memories By: Leigh Amado
Senior Pictures Last A Lifetime
Premiere Jones, junior Larry White, freshman - What was your best Christmas memory?
- What was your best Christmas memory?
When I got the PS4.
The last time all my uncles and aunts were together.
- What made it memorable?
- What made it memorable?
I didn’t think I was going to get and I got it anyway.
All my family was together and we haven’t been able to do that in a while.
Freddy Maisberger, Class of ‘85
Make sure your picture is in the yearbook. Senior Pictures are due Friday, December 19 Bring a photo or CD to Mrs. Hooper, Room 225 Email: hhooper2@topeka.k12.ks.us
Finals Schedule:
Monday- Fifth hour final
Tuesday- First & Fourth hour finals Winter Break Dec. 19 - Jan. 5 Wednesday- Third & Sixth hour finals Thursday- Second and Seventh hour finals
Junior: Erica Meadors - What was your best Christmas memory? Buying my mom a surprise present and her not knowing when she opened it up what it was. - What made it memorable? Something she really wanted, because she thought she wasn’t going to get it and she got it anyway.
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December 2014
The Start of a New Era
By: Eduardo Gamez Going into his 15th year as a basketball coach, Coach Jason Jones, 36, looks to
Austin. to success.
Coach Jason Jones instructing his team.
WE NOT ME “WE NOT ME”
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December 2014
Who Are The Rattlers?
By: Tavian Bryant The new dance team “The Rattlers” has caught the eye of Highland Park. Their coach is Curtis Pitts.
Coach Pitts Q: When did you start the team? A: I’ve had a drill team since 1984. Q: Who teaches the dancers choreography? A: The girls all get together and make up dances together. Q: Who are your captains? A: They are Erin Rowzer, Desire Homes, and Lyric Atkins. Q: Why does the uniforms have Sarasota on them? A: My hometown sponsored the uniforms.
Captain Erin Rowzer Q: Is the team year round or seasonal? A: It’s year round. Q: What was your most memorable performance? A: The performance for the T-Rell No ID Party. Q: Why did you join the team? A: Because I love to dance. Q: What are you looking forward to this year? A: The positive attitudes from everyone.
The Rattlers after the homecoming parade.
Strike Up The Spirit
By: Sophia Snepp Bowling is now one of our winter sports here at HP. “Mr. (Jaime) Cuevas wanted to get bowling so that kids who aren’t involved in basketball and wrestling had a chance to play a sport,” Coach Barb Engler said. With four girls and nine boys, Engler said that they could use a couple more girls so that they could have a girls’ team
and boys’ team. “If a few more boys come out we could even have a boys JV team.” James Beutler, senior, said that his favorite part about having a bowling team is “Having fun and free bowling.” Senior Ricky Kirk’s favorite part is being able to “ Show off and play the sport that I love.”
Practice is at Gage Bowl from 3:30 to 5:30 starting Jan. 6. A bus will take kids over to Gage Bowl and their parents will pick them up from there. Engler says to watch out for the entire team as they grow and better themselves as the season goes on.
Ricky Kirk, senior setting up his roll.
December 2014
Mais Talks Wrestling
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By: Clayton Williams
Coach Freddy Maisberger returns for his 27th year as coach for the HPHS Wrestling Team. So far, 35 students have tried out for the team. “I’m expecting their full commitment and participation, and also consistency,” said Maisberger. “Consistency leads to success day in day out. If you are consistent you will succeed.” Some of the standout wrestlers this year are Tanner Cornwell, Dandre
Phillips, Alex Davis, Jaime Fernandez, Chris James, and Taveion Lamb. “Wrestling is fun, and it also teaches discipline and let’s me show my strengths while working on my weaknesses,” said Cornwell, junior. By the end of the season Maisberger wants to have more participation and dedication out of the
“That would be great,” said Maisberger.
Jaime Fernandez takes on a his opponent
Off To A Great Start Jump Into Judo By: Earl Wallace
The Lady Scots kicked off the season with a win against Kansas City Washington on Dec 4. Speaking about the game, Coach Mike Calhoun said, “We did good, we had three starters in foul trouble, which meant we had to put people in who aren’t used to playing.” The Lady Scots who went 5-16 are looking to do more as a team. They plan on going to a KU game as a team, and do a lot more team bonding throughout the year. Calhoun said the team needs to make
improvements on defense and rebounding and committing fewer turnovers. He’s also watching their grades. Calhoun said, “They know they will be running if they are failing.” Calhoun said he plans to use the foul line to his advantage. Having a bigger line up means attacking the basket to get to the line. When asked what are your coaching goals, Calhoun said, “ Domination, I want to build a dominating program.”
By: Harley Vinsonhaler
Judo is a modern martial art, combat, and Olympic sport that originated in Japan. It has been around since 1882. You may be wondering, “What does Judo have to do with our school?” Last year, teacher Tim Manges started Judo lessons. He has studied the art for 10 years and is a pre black belt in Son Kyu. Manges said the lessons are for all levels. As of this semester enrollment has fallen short and is being discontinued for the rest of the semester.
Manges said that he would defiantly continue the lessons if students are interested. He will try and continue next semester and will also be doing a demonstration. Senior Josh Bracken has been taking lessons with Manges. He said the best part is the discipline from it. The art of it is fun too. What has he learned? “Mainly self-control and a lot of concentration,” Bracken said. The class meets 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the wresting room.
Late Night At The Park
Breauna Davis trying to knock down bottles at Late Night.
Brittney Sowell shaking the hourglasses.
Daniel Kingcannon trying to balance a ping-pong ball on a spoon.
Princess Harris and the cheerleading squad performing
Angelique Kyles dribbling the ball down the court.
to do the cookie challenge.