February 2015

Play Graduates are living examples of where you can end up with a diploma from Maize

WHERE ARE THE GRADS NOW? PAGE 10

“If they get caught, I can almost guarantee that I will be taking someone downtown.”

-Officer Parker PAGE 4

LEBEGUE

TRANSFERS

FOR MAIZE BASKETBALL PAGE 16

Couples Quiz PAGE 22

Feminists VS. Misogynists Students speak out about the battle between men and women PAGE 8 Maize High School. 11600 W. 45. St. N. Maize, KS. 67101

February2015

r

Table of contents read.watch.play.

Volume 8, Issue 4 | February 2015

To the Moon and back

Kalee Betzen

Junior Brett Moon defeats senior Lucas Lovvorn of Holton High School Jan. 17 at the Newton Tournament. Moon remains undefeated. COVER: Photo illustration by Brooke Johanson.

4 10 14 19

News

Theft around Maize has increased while students take the matter into their own hands.

8

Now Playing

Since the early years of women’s suffrage, feminism and misogyny have evolved into a highly controversial topic of today.

Lifestyles

12

Lifestyles

Opinion

16

Sports

After high school, Maize alumni moved on to fulfill their dreams in and out of the community.

Relationships of today focus on materialistic expectations rather than the priceless items of the past.

Sports

Athletes share the reasoning for their choice of jersey number.

22

Play newsmagazine editor Hannah Henricks Maizenews.com editor Cheyenne Esser Visuals editor Brooke Johanson News editor Nick Mathias Features & lifestyles editor Katie McLachlan Sports editor Justin Noble Advertisements manager Maite Menendez Engagement/assistant news editor Kendra Cunningham Assistant sports editor Delanie Pierce Assistant advertisement manager Mikaela Stevenson Reporters & photographers James Auchterlonie Kalee Betzen Hallie Bontrager Shelby Carpenter Jess Ellis Emily Graves Savie Hughes Hannah Jurgensen Tori Lemon Nadia McLean Lyndsey Piska Miranda White Shae White Adviser Dan Loving

Senior Matthew LeBegue makes his transfer from homeschool basketball to playing at Maize.

Play is the official newsmagazine for and

by Maize High School students. Play is published six times throughout the year. Play is a student publication and a forum for public opinion. Letters to the editor should be signed and around 300 words. The editorials and columns are the sole opinion of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USD 266 Board of Education, the administration, the faculty or the adviser.

Entertainment

Raise your voice

Maize students share their uncommon collections and unusual obsessions.

Take the relationship quiz to figure out which Maize couple you and your significant other are most like.

Submit a letter to the editor for the April issue to room D18 or mhsnewsmag@gmail.com Printed by City Print.

Š Copyright 2015 Play newsmagazine

maizenews.com | FebruaryPlay

4

News

Theft Maize throughout

By Savie Hughes

W

hat’s mine is not yours. After multiple thefts around the school, victims are agreeing to this statement.

“I had a Vera Bradley wallet and all my stuff inside of it like my license, money, gift cards and all that stuff stolen,” junior Katie McClure said. “It’s just really depressing to think somebody will just steal something.”

McClure is only one of many who has fallen victim to theft.

“At the beginning of the year, I had 60 dollars stolen,” sophomore Maura Glatczak said.

After several items were stolen from the girls locker room, students took it in their own hands to catch the thief red handed. They set up a phone facing a backpack and left it rolling until after class. When they reviewed the video, they watched the thief pick through wallets and unzip other backpacks.

They soon came up with a way to give the video to the office without any of the students getting punished.

“People are going through people’s items in the locker rooms because they’re leaving their lockers unlocked,” officer Andre Parker said. “I know it’s Maize and we typically don’t have as much problems as maybe some Wichita schools, but we don’t live in the Garden of Eden anymore.”

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

Photo Illustration

The thefts have occurred all around the school, including locker rooms, unlocked classrooms and the school store, Spirit Central.

“I know it’s Maize and we typically don’t have as much problems as maybe some Wichita schools, but we don’t live in the Garden of Eden anymore.”

-Officer Andre Parker “At the beginning of the school year we had a lot of problems with people stealing,” Business Professionals of America president Taylor Axtell, senior, said. “The way we had the store set up was that people could walk in and grab.”

Earlier this year, Spirit Central had a student steal apparel and shove it under her shirt.

“We went and reported it,” Axtell said. “The student got suspended for

three days and couldn’t go to the football game against South.”

Since the thefts, Axtell and the store workers have changed the way they give out items.

“We realized that we were losing a lot of income from stealing,” Axtell said.

“So we blocked that entire section off and now whoever is working the store are the people who grabs the food for the customer.”

All of Spirit Central funds go straight to BPA’s regional, state and national competitions.

“We have to pay for each student to go into each competition,” Axtell said.

“So it’s a pretty large chunk of money.”

They also leave $1,500 in Spirit Central for the next year to start off that year’s school store.

“We use the money that we gain from people buying stuff to buy more food for the school store and to buy apparel,” Axtell said. “So when they steal from that it makes it harder for us to supply things for the school store.”

Not only does it make it harder to supply items for the school store but somebody who steals could end up going to jail.

“I enforce criminal law,” Parker said.

“If they get caught, I can almost guarantee that I will be taking somebody downtown.”n

News 5

Maize inspires artistic creativity

By Miranda White

T

he artists of Maize began to enter their art into Scholastics Art Competition in late November to early December.

Over Christmas break, the judges looked at the projects to determine what place each piece would receive.

The projects are rewarded with an honorable mention, silver key or a gold key. The results and awards are given to the students within the first few weeks of January.

Senior Chloe Cloud and sophomore Spencer Shively were two students among the many who received awards.

“I went to bed that night wanting know the results [of the contest],” Cloud said. “I don’t want to say I wasn’t really concerned, because there was a pretty good possibility of me getting in. I was just very interested in what my results would be.”

Cloud was not the only one anticipating results. Shively was also ready to get feedback on her projects.

“I was a little nervous,” Shively said. “Since I’m still a sophomore, I would be more nervous in my upperclassmen years.”

Shively entered two of her graphite pieces into Scholastics

Miranda White

Submitted by Chloe cloud

and received a silver key for both. This year was her first year of Scholastics as well as her first year exploring different genres of art. Shively didn’t start drawing until her freshman year.

The pressure of the Scholastics competition does not only weigh down the students, but also the teachers.

Often the pressure that a teacher experiences comes from hope that students performed well.

“Recognition is always good for the morale of both students and staff,” art teacher Bethany Janssen said. “Also, students will receive scholarships based on their performance at Scholastics. We always hear from colleges that our former students are strong. We are certainly preparing them if they want a career in art.”

The actual art pieces that have been awarded are sent to the judging panel to possibly qualify for National Scholastics held in the summer.

The students who qualified for Nationals will see their piece(s) hosted in New York City, but will not receive their pieces for another two or three years.n

Miranda White

Submitted by Spencer Shively

Senior Chloe Cloud adds finishing touches to her drawing. Cloud’s Sophomore Spencer Shively brainstorms ideas for a new art project. rabbit drawing was a part of her portfolio which received a gold key. She received a sliver key on her lioness drawing shown above.

Gold Keys: Chloe Cloud, Courtney Lang, Bailey Tredway, Tasha Wentling, Miranda White, Tyler Stuart, Verity Clark, Mia Magby and Kate Utech.

Silver Keys: Hayley Utter, Kayla Crockett, Daniel Edkin, Kyley Peirce, Chloe Cloud, Courtney Lang, Alex Lee, Spencer Shively, Tasha Wentling and Arden Rogers.

Honorable Mentions: Hayley Utter, Caitlin Allan, Rylee Birkes, Mady Mitchell, Carson Pierce, Chloe Cloud, Courtney Lang, Rachel Pusateri, Willow Eaton, Allyson McDaniel, Sarah Nash, Hector Vazquez, Taylin Wells, Tasha Wentling and Tyler Stuart.

Technology director Mosate recommended for termination

T

he Maize school district’s director of technology was recommended for termination, according to the agenda for Monday’s school board meeting.

Ramon Mosate had been on administrative leave since the FBI executed a search warrant at the Educational Support Center in November. The Federal officials have not commented about the investigation other than to say they executed several search warrants.

Mosate was one of two ESC employees placed on administrative leave following the search, although district officials haven’t confirmed his name. His wife, Angie, a curriculum secretary, also was placed on leave,

By Savie Hughes sources have said.

Jim Cross, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom, said he can’t confirm or deny federal investigations until charges have been filed.

“There are no criminal charges in that case,” Cross said. He said federal investigations can take months.

Director of Communications Lori Buselt previously said the district was cooperating with the FBI investigation.

“The investigation is not related to students or the safety of our students or employees and is limited to the Educational Support Center,” she said in November.

In the days following the search, students and staff were required to

change passwords on multiple schoolrelated accounts.

Maize Superintendent of Schools Doug Powers said in an email that Mosate worked for the district from August 1997 until Jan. 30. His termination was listed on the consent agenda for Monday’s board meeting along with resignations and hirings.

Powers said Clark Fichtl, who has been serving as interim director of technology, has been named as Mosate’s replacement.

Fichtl worked at Maize High before moving to the Educational Support Center last school year.

Attempts to reach Mosate were unsuccessful.n FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

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News 7

Tips and tricks

By Nadia McLean

Readin g

Junior Scott Hershberger and teachers Kevin Frye, Jessica Shurts and Shari Dalal provide simple tips that can improve scores, relieve stress and ease the pain of taking the ACT.

40 questions, 4 passages, 35 minutes -Skim passages

-Look out for the key words and infer their meaning -Pay attention to characters in the story

-Manage time (1-1 ½ minutes on passages, 30 seconds on each question)

-Look for restatements within a sentence; it may give the definition “Pace yourself. All the questions are equal point value so don’t spend time on one that’s going to take a long time” – Dalal

40 questions, 6-7 passages, 35 minutes

Sci e

e nc

“The biggest thing about taking the test itself is time management.

You’ve got to make sure you move fast enough and don’t run out of time.” – Hershberger

5 passages, 45 minutes

ish

ACT

to survive the

Eng 75 questions, l

-50 seconds per question -Order the passages from: Data Representation (three passages); Research Summaries (three passages); Conflicting Viewpoints (one passage)

-Pace yourself: Five minutes on Data Representation; five minutes on Research Summaries; six minutes on each Conflicting Viewpoints

h t a M60 questions, 60 minutes

-All questions are equal value -The hard questions are not the most important. Most of the questions are elementary/intermediate algebra, geometry, pre-algebra and trigonometry -Read the end of the questions first to see what is being asked

“I don’t believe that it is a measure of guaranteed student success, or lack of success, because it doesn’t measure work ethic, other intangibles or integrity. It is a measuring tool, major windows of opportunity, via money and acceptance for students, so I think students should take it seriously.”

– Frye FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

8

Now Playing

Feminism vs Misogyny

By Emily Graves

B

y this point, most students have probably heard the term “feminism” or its less famous opposer, “meninism.” Some believe that feminism is the next F-word, some are proud supporters and some are a bit in between or completely uninformed.

Feminism

So, what is feminism? Well, regardless of beliefs, most people agree that it’s a women’s rights movement that works toward the equality of the genders.

Whether they agree with the movement is a completely different story.

Sophomore Roo Rusk defines it as “the equality of the genders politically, economically and every other way.”

Because of feminism and women’s suffrage, today women have a lot more rights than they did 100 years ago, but they still do not have as many as the men in their lives.

A common misconception is that feminism promotes female superiority and directs hate toward men. “[Feminism] is not about women being superior, but it is about being proud to be a woman,” junior Sandy Carlo said.

Many people have heard of radical feminists, or better known as FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

“feminazis.” It’s not hard to see why some of the things they say and do would drive people away from feminism rather than encourage them to embrace it, but that doesn’t mean that people should reject it right away.

“When people say ‘feminism,’ a lot of people think ‘feminazi,’ and that’s not really

“[Feminism] is not about women being superior, but it is about being proud to be a woman.”

- Junior Sandy Carlo feminism,” English teacher Jana Schantz said.

Schantz went on to explain that feminism is about women becoming equal to men, not about women being

superior to men and that’s where some of the more extreme feminists cross the thin line of balance.

Junior Lucas Farney pointed out that, to some men, the whole idea of feminism in general is radical; but something that people tend to forget is that feminism helps everybody. Even men.

Feminism has helped encourage society to rethink older ideals of masculinity, according to mic.com. It’s fought for men’s rights to become teachers and nurses, it’s helped to protect men who play sports and keep them safe, it’s helped keep prisons safer for male inmates, it’s ensured that the burden of war doesn’t only fall on the men of our country and feminism also helped fight for the FBI to change the definition of rape to include men.

A lot of girls, upon confessing to being a feminist and wanting to be equal to men, are often met with a response similar to the classic “Oh, so if you want to be treated like a man, can I punch you?”

When a girl asks for equal rights, why must it be assumed that she wants to be treated like a man? Asking to be equal doesn’t mean that she’s any less of a girl.

It doesn’t take away any femininity and it doesn’t add any either.

Meninism

Now Playing 9

While feminism is about bringing people together, meninism, is a synonym for misogyny (see definition), though many people have tried to associate it as a men’s rights movement.

The term “meninism” is usually used to serve as mockery towards feminism.

People who identify as meninists tend to disagree with most, if not all, points of feminism and believe that the whole idea of a feminist movement is dramatic and uncalled for.

“Women and men should not have the same roles in society,” senior Clayton Hicks said.

For an example, Hicks used the situation of a single parent.

“A woman cannot do the job of raising a son by herself, because a young boy needs the fatherly role model in his life to show him how to be a man,” he said.

Senior Tyler Cantrell, a self-acclaimed meninist, said he thinks feminism is just girls believing that they aren’t equal in stature to men and that they should have more things given to them.

Meninism was originally an organization of men who supported feminism rather than fighting against it. However, people have tried to cleverly take the term and turn it into the opposite of

“Women and men should not have the same roles in society.”

-Senior Clayton Hicks what it was originally intended for.

“They took something that was beautiful and pure and turned it into a hate group,” senior Lauren Spencer said.

Past Women’s Suffrage

The women’s suffrage movement originally started in 1848. The face of the movement was Susan B. Anthony.

Anthony and her fellow women’s rights pioneer, Elizabeth Stanton, helped win women’s right to vote, which is the 19th Amendment.

This movement is still known as the greatest achievement in the women’s rights movement. In the early 1800s, many female suffrage supporters would remain unmarried because, in those days, a married woman could not own property and could not create legal contracts on their own behalf, among other things.

It wasn’t until the 1840s that women even had custody of their own children. The movement had women that

fem·i·nism noun the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

would protest and was actually the first protest group to picket at the White House. If arrested, female suffragists were often force fed in jail because they would group together and go on hunger strikes.

The movement has made leaps of progress since then and has clearly changed immensely.

Feminism 2.0

A lot of people refer to modern feminism as Feminism 2.0 because of the involvement that technology has had in it’s growth.

The internet is where a lot of people have become more educated on the subject. There are all sorts of websites, Twitter accounts, Facebook pages and Tumblr blogs for both feminism and meninism.

One of the most popular was the recent Twitter campaign known as #YesAllWomen, started in response to the defense of “not all men…”

There’s also another online feminist movement referred to as “I need feminism because…” It’s called that because every post added to it starts with the same sentence. Women and men from all over the world have added to it with their reasons for needing feminism in their lives.

The internet has been a powerful ally of the feminist movement because it allows people to see that they aren’t alone in what they believe and support. Regardless of what side is chosen, it’s an ongoing battle that’s yet to be resolved.n

mi·sog·y·ny noun dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.

Design by Kendra Cunningham

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

10 Lifestyles

Stepping into the

By Shelby Carpenter and James Auchterlonie

real world

Have you ever wondered what your life will be 10 years after caps have been tossed and the diplomas handed out?

Stepping out of the hallways and into the world beyond Maize, graduates have gone on to achieve their dreams and try new things. Play caught up with five Maize grads to see what they have been up to since graduation.

Desi Oakley

Under the stage lights is where Desi Oakley shines the brightest. Graduating in 2007, she spent her four years involved in the performing arts working closely with choir director Doris Prater.

“She is very bubbly,” Prater said. “She is very outgoing, and she is very driven.

She knew exactly what she wanted to do from about fourth or fifth grade. I try to keep in contact with all these kids that are out and about and we touch base.”

As a teenager, Oakley was also thoroughly involved in Music Theatre of Wichita, nabbing the lead role in many productions such as “High School Musical,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Little Mermaid.”

After graduation, Oakley attended the University of Michigan and received a bachelors degree in music theatre.

Oakley’s determination to perform carried her through her schooling and into the real world of theatre.

“She had natural talent, a lot of natural talent,” Prater said. “She was one of those students that you can only just guide her and suggest things to her but she has already had so much going for her. There are just all sorts of kids out there just doing incredible things in the world. They’re very talented. The ones who are really making it are the Desi Oakley (left) shared the stage in high school with Cameron Bedell, a current contender on American Idol season 14. Photo submitted by Desi Oakley.

Kristina Sims (right) balances her time between teaching fifth graders and Maize Central Elementary and directing ICT Flight Showchoir. Photo submitted by Kristina Sims.

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

ones who are very disciplined and had already thought through things and were planning ahead in high school.”

Upon graduating college, Oakley sought after her dream of becoming a Broadway star.

She has been casted in Broadway renditions of “Wicked,” “Annie” and “Evita.” Today, Oakley lives in New York City, continuing to pursue her passion for performance. She has released her own music album and is working closely on projects with the Walt Disney company.

Kristina Sims

A 2007 graduate, Kristina Sims spent her high school years heavily involved in a variety of activities.

“I think it’s really important to get involved,” Sims said. “That’s what makes it fun in high school, there’s never going to be another time in your life besides the college and high school years that you’re going to get to be involved in so many different things and have the freedom to try all of those things.”

Above all other activities, Sims’ main priority was choir.

“I loved the performance aspect, because that’s always fun. But the camaraderie that you get when you spend that much time with people in the

same things as you, is amazing. You are all working towards the same goal and have the same aspirations as the people around you and you get to surround yourself with people who are better than you, and that makes you better.”

Sims continued to stay actively involved beyond her high school years. She was a cheerleader at Friends University and a member of the Butler Community College show choir, Headliners.

“I tell my students all the time get involved in things and try different stuff,” she said. “Even if you try Spanish Club one year and never want to do it again. The kids who are involved with stuff are the ones who go on to do more afterwards because they’re learning time management, they’re learning social skills, they’re learning dedication and perseverance and all of those different things.”

Her responsibility and time management skills continued to transfer after her years of schooling ended.

Sims is now a fifth grade teacher at Maize Central Elementary as well as the director of the ICT Flight Showchoir, Wichita’s first competitive showchoir. As a role model figure involved in the lives of so many others, Sims strives to guide her students and performers to reach their full potential.

Lifestyles 11

Amy Baker attempted to sell franchise locations for Scooter’s Coffeehouse to other potential businesspeople, but soon decided to open one herself. Photo submitted by Amy Baker.

Nicole Vogt is currently training to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Photo submitted by Nicole Vogt.

Rocky Helm was inducted into the El Dorado Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Photo by Dan Loving.

Rocky Helm

classes and coach baseball.

“I think the most enjoyable thing I like is not the wins and the losses, but to see kids that don’t really hang out all the time find a common goal and develop a chemistry where they love being together,” he said.

American Cup events this year. She finished in fourth place at an event in Lake Placid, N.Y., last month. When she started bobsledding she was a brakeman.

She is currently competing as the pilot.

The next Winter Olympics will be in 2018 in South Korea, and Vogt said she hopes to be part of the bobsledding team that represents the United States.

In 1984, Maize graduate Rocky Helm divided his time as a high school senior between football, basketball, baseball and National Honor Society.

“Those four things were about all I had time to do,” Helm said.

However Helm’s main focus was baseball, a sport not offered in the school at the time. Through his various athletic outlets, Helm’s hard work did not go unnoticed.

“I played baseball during the summer.

We didn’t have it when I went to high school, but Butler County Community College’s coach saw me play basketball and later offered me a baseball scholarship.”

Helm played baseball at Butler for two years before receiving a scholarship to play Division I baseball for the University of Kansas.

“Baseball gave me a lot of different opportunities,” he said “I was offered the opportunities to be a student assistant coach at KU for my final two years while I was finishing up my degree. I also got to go to Cuba and play for a USA team I was picked to be on. I had the chance to play independent pro baseball but I didn’t think I wanted to give up on what I thought I wanted to do at the time.”

With a major in sports management, Helm hoped for a job in an office for a professional baseball team, but his findings turned up short.

After working at Boeing for 2 1/2 years, Helm earned his teaching degree and returned to Maize to teach business

Nicole Vogt

A class of 2005 graduate, Nicole Vogt, was involved in multiple sports such as volleyball, basketball and track and field.

She attended Kansas State University and participated in girls rowing.

After college, Vogt became a Team USA bobsledder.

“When I went to Maize, I was really involved in sports, which built up my teamwork skills,” Vogt said. “We just had great coaches and a lot of great people that I got to play with.”

Sherry Elder, Vogt’s former Spanish teacher, said she thinks highly of her as a student as well as an athlete.

She was a determined person.

“That's something that’s really hard to teach, something that we, as teachers, can't teach,” Elder said. “I remember being surprised when she first announced that she was going to row at Kansas State University. I was really surprised, but then, I shouldn't have been, because it was something she wanted to try and I knew as soon as she said she was going to go for it that she would do just that. She would go for it with gusto, full-steam ahead and she would be successful.”

Vogt has competed in a number of international events, including North

Amy Baker

Coffee was never in Amy Baker’s career plans after graduating from Maize in 1994, but now she owns three Scooter’s Coffeehouse franchise locations.

“I graduated with a degree in journalism and mass communications from Wichita State University,” Baker said.

“I had a job in that field and did that briefly, but I guess I just lost interest in it.”

Baker left Kansas in pursuit of something greater.

She landed in San Diego and worked for the scuba gear company, AquaLung.

After being in California for a few years, AquaLung owners convinced Baker to open an AquaLung franchise store in Wichita.

“I was reluctant at first, because, you know, there isn’t much of a market for that kind of thing here.”

After the lack of success with AquaLung, Baker caught news of the Scooter’s Coffeehouse and opened three franchise locations in Wichita with her mom and aunt.

The third location opened last year.n

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

12 Lifestyles

Crazy collecting and oddly obsessing 2.

1.

By Delanie Pierce and Lyndsey Piska

W

ith all the hobbies that high school students pursue, collections and obsessions seem to be an up-and-coming activity.

competition, [junior] Emma Claybrook bought me a bag of Cheetos, and after I won, I think I set down the trophy to keep eating my cheetos,” Carlo said.

“...it’s one gigantic

memory wrapped up in one tangible item. ” -Sophomore Allison Evans Junior Sandy Carlo began her obsession with Flaming Hot Cheetos her freshman year. Carlo’s favorite part of her obsession are her Cheeto socks that she got from her boyfriend, senior Akim Richards, on Valentine’s Day last year.

Carlo said it is almost impossible for her to walk out of a convenience store without a bag in each hand.

“To ease my nerves at a BPA FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

Carlo wishes to continue her obsession for the rest of her life, hoping her children will enjoy them as much as she does.

Along with Carlo, freshman Louis Riddle also has a crazy collection.

Riddle’s collection consists of more than 60 pairs of printed socks. Riddle gets compliments on his socks everywhere he goes. His favorite pair are blue with

bacon strips. Riddle wears his socks under everything he wears, including his nice clothes for choir concerts.

“I started collecting the socks in seventh grade and have probably spent over $200,” Riddle said.

When asked if he were stranded on a deserted island what three pairs of socks he would bring, he said his bacon socks, his rubber ducky socks and his Batman and Robin socks.

“My dad said that when I’m 16 I have to quit, but I’m probably not going to,” he said.

While clothing items could be found anywhere, senior Rachel Brand goes above and beyond to find her collection.

“I really like Harry Potter, so I collect everything Harry Potter,” Brand said.

“I started reading the books in second grade before all the movies came out.

Then I watched all the movies, and I really just loved it, so I kept re-reading it.”

Brand once spent $250 on seven wands while at Harry Potter World in

Lifestyles 13

Universal Studios for a choir trip. Not only is she obsessed with Potter, but she has also read each book at least 10 times and can recite details from throughout the books.

“All of my friends really wanted the wands, and I gave one away as a birthday gift because I promised,” Brand said. “Other than that, I’ve kept them all.”

Brand hopes to get broomsticks and costumes to add to her collection.

Sometimes collections begin with an obsession, but others begin from a hobby.

Sophomore Allison Evans saves her pointe shoes from ballet.

Evans has been saving her pointe shoes since she was 10 years old after her first pair broke. She decided that instead of throwing them away, she would keep them and decorate them for her Nadia McLean

5.

own enjoyment. Not only does she paint them, she also has pairs with rhinestones and jewels.

“It’s really cool to me, and it shows off my work art, along with my performance art,” Evans said.

Evans practices 12 hours a week for dance, which requires her to get new pointe shoes every month.

Collection items can be expensive, but junior Emma Claybrook has been receiving her collectors items for 10 years.

“I always really liked elephants,” Claybrook said.

“They have always been my favorite animal.”

Claybrook has received more than 20 statues and stuffed animals for her

collection from friends and family.

“I’ve never actually bought anything from my 4.

collection, I always got them as gifts for birthdays or holidays,” Claybrook said.

Although Claybrook’s drive to keep collecting elephant items is coming to a halt, she still plans on keeping the collection to remember her childhood memories.

“I think that you should keep what you love, mainly because it’s one gigantic memory wrapped up in one tangible item,” Evans said.n

1. Junior Sandy Carlo, enjoys eating Flaming’ Hot Cheetos whenever she finds the chance.

2. Freshman Louis Riddle, likes to wear crazy socks with every outfit.

3. Senior Rachel Brand, hordes Harry Potter themed memorabilia.

4. Sophomore Allison Evans, keeps her beloved pointe shoes after they brake.

5. Junior Emma Claybrook, receives elephant statues as gifts.

Emily Graves

3.

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

14 Opinion

You can’t buy love P

By Shae White for the Play editorial board

uppies, diamonds and Nike leggings are just a few of the things you can find when you do a search for relationship goals.

These have recently become a trending topic on social media. Many people have left behind the “old fashioned” expectations of a relationship. Holding doors and pulling out chairs have been exchanged for materialistic items expected from their significant other.

Nowadays, people are asking for too much in relationships.

Sophomore Loren Fiegel agrees that the intentions being developed in relationships are unrealistic.

“Yeah, getting things is nice, but a teenager isn’t going to have $3,000 to go spend on Michael Kors, and more people should understand that,” Fiegel said.

The things you want from your special someone should be simple.

There’s no reason respect, honesty or a good sense of humor can’t suffice your needs. Getting your boyfriend a new pair of Roshe Runs or purchasing

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

a brand new outfit for your girlfriend from Victoria’s Secret will not benefit your relationship in any way.

Freshman Luc Emery is also not a fan of the recent trend.

“I think it’s pretty stupid,” Emery said. “It’s way too cheesy, and I don’t think things like this should be expected from your boyfriend or girlfriend.”

Stop expecting someone to empty their wallet for you and learn to appreciate the more sentimental things.

Having an honest and healthy relationship is worth so much more than any North Face jacket or Rolex watch.

“I want a guy that will do nice things for me, not buy nice things for me,” Fiegel said. “I don’t need a $500 outfit.

I need someone that’ll surprise me with their actions.”

Along with Fiegel, Emery also sticks to the simpler relationship goals.

“My only relationship goal is to actually get a girlfriend, and I’m not going to expect anything from her,” Emery said.

It’s time to throw away these high standards. We can leave these impractical views behind by simply returning to the classic relationship expectations. The days where holding hands, greeting each other with cute pet names and having your quirky couple traits are the days needed to be returned to.

Not to say you can’t surprise your partner with a cute gift here and there, but you shouldn’t rely on something with a price tag to keep the two of you happy. Wanting to spoil someone is totally fine in moderation, but making it the main aspect of your bond is excessive.

If couples would just focus on how they are treating each other instead of what they’re treating each other with, they’d be a lot more satisfied in their relationship. These superficial and greedy thoughts are what’s going to end up tearing them apart in the long run.

Goals in a relationship should be priceless, not something labeled with a dollar sign.n

Column 15

The

Heart

Issue

C

By Shelby Carpenter

Katie McLachlan

hange.

The inevitable occurrence of becoming different. The epitome of the pessimist’s disdain or the welcomed surprise to the optimist.

Change.

Change strikes at any given moment. It does not favor, and it does not care. Change will come in the dead of the night, crushing spirits and leaving its victims entirely brokenhearted.

Change will ignore prior circumstances and ruthlessly overthrow sanity. Change will guide a lost soul back to reality or will offer a new and hopeful beginning.

But when did things begin to change so quickly? When did change become so drastic? When did things begin to change without anyone batting an eye, altering the world around us without so much as a subtle warning?

In light of all that has taken place recently regarding violence-police shootings, prosecuting the Boston Marathon bombers, even acts of terrorism overseas-- it is imperative that a change is made.

A positive change.

There is no stopping the inevitable badness of the world, but the negative changes that are thrown our way can be combated with changes for good. We are not forced to live in a world of negative changes in the throes of war or anarchy or hunger. We do not have to submit to these changes. But nothing will change unless we do.

And the only thing standing in our way is heart.

You see, this is not a gun violence issue; this is not a gang issue; this is not a video game issue or a government issue or a money issue or a homosexual issue or a Christian issue or terrorist issue or a man or woman issue.

This is a heart issue.

If we do not choose to be kind to others, to show compassion and empathy, or to simply love others, we will be doomed with the inevitable bad, and that will be our choice to live in it. The only way we can combat this awful change with a change for something greater is by looking inward and changing our hearts. I refuse to let my grandchildren grow up in a world where love is lost and hurt is acceptable. The only thing that will prevent this is changing our heart issue into a heart cause.

So be kind to others. Help your neighbors. Go a little bit out of your way each day to do something nice for a stranger. Even a simple smile will go a long way.

Change strikes at any given moment. It does not favor, and it does not care. Change is an inevitable force that can weigh on our souls like a thousand losses, or it can shape lives into something so much more meaningful. If we change our hearts, we can make changes that people will care about. We can make change worth noticing.

So be the change.n

Senior Shelby Carpenter volunteers at Maize Central Elementary in Andrea Reed’s second grade class.

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

16 Sports

home 1

is where the net is

By Hallie Bontrager

T

ransferring to a new school for senior year is something that is not common among high schoolers.

Senior Matthew LeBegue, is one of these rare teenagers. LeBegue is a starter on the boys basketball team and has become a key player for the team.

LeBegue has been home schooled his whole life until his senior year when he decided to transfer to Maize.

“I came to Maize for better competition for basketball because homeschool basketball just isn’t as good,” LeBegue said.

The senior had the idea of transferring to Maize but didn’t really consider it until around the end of summer.

“There were two weeks left until school started when we considered it.

[My family] didn’t want to make such a rapid decision but we had to.”

Despite the stressful decision, LeBegue’s parents are completely supportive of the switch. They wanted him to be able to have the opportunity to play 6A basketball and have that FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

experience before he goes to play for college.

“I miss him which is inevitable but it was going to happen anyways. But besides that I’m so happy that he gets to have such a great experience. I really enjoy hearing all the stories he tells me about school.” LeBegue’s mother, Leslie LeBegue, said.

“He is a nice kid,

he gets along with everybody and I think that really rubs off on the team.”

-Coach Chris Grill LeBegue has played basketball for as long as he can remember.

He was on a homeschool basketball team from sixth grade up until his junior year.

LeBegue said that he liked being on

his old team but it wasn’t the competition he wanted.

“We were okay. We mainly played smaller private schools like 1A or 2A. Also other homeschool teams.”

The change between being homeschooled and coming to a 6A high school would seem difficult but LeBegue’s transition is going well.

“I like Maize a lot more than being homeschooled. It’s a lot more fun. There are a lot more people and I definitely have a lot more friends. It’s really fun to be able to hang out with people all day, everyday.”

Before the season started, LeBegue already knew some of his teammates.

“I knew [Seniors] Cortlin [Standifer], Logan [Miller], and Ky-Sean [Johnson].

The whole team is really fun to be around and they are easy to talk to. It’s fun.”

LeBegue plans on playing in college but he doesn’t want to make a decision until the basketball season is over.

“I’ve had colleges tell me they want to offer me scholarships. I’m interested in Emporia State, Hesston College and

Sports 17

2 1. The boys basketball team gets in a huddle before the game against Salina Central.

2.Senior Matthew Lebegue looks for someone to pass to while being guarded by a Bishop Carrol player.

3. Lebegue goes up for a block against Bishop Carrol 4. Lebegue waits for an opening to pass the ball or take the shot.

3 Hutchinson Community College.”

LeBegue has quickly made a good impression on his teammates and his coach.

“I think he has been doing great so far. He seems like a kid who has been going to public school all his life. His personality benefits the team. He is a nice kid, he gets along with everybody and I think that really rubs off on the team,” Coach Chris Grill said. “Most of our kids are like that, so I think he fits in real well. As far as the homeschooling thing goes I don’t know if there is anything that really makes him that different other than it just gives us a different perspective.”n

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behind the numbers

Sports 19

By Tori Lemon

E

verybody has a reason for something. For athletes, most of them have a reason to their number.

Athletes might choose a jersey number that represents their admiration of one of their family members.

Others pick a number that reflects their idolization of their own favorite athlete.

For one of these students, his number gives him the sensation of fearlessness.

“I feel like when I see that number, or wearing something with that number on it, I can do anything,” senior Dalton Rupp said about his football jersey, number 47.

For senior Elijah West, his jersey number from youth football has a deeper meaning than meets the eye.

“Growing up, watching my older brother play football, he was always 29 through high school,” West said. “So all through little league, I was always 29. We played the same position, so I thought it was only fitting that I have the same number as him. I just wanted to try to be like my older brother.”

He isn’t the only one whose number reflected their aspiration to be like an older sibling. Like West, sophomore Jacey Handy also has a role model who is in her family. She greatly admires her older sister, senior Daley

Hannah Jurgensen

Sophomore Jacey Handy wears the No. 20 because her sister, senior Daley Handy, number is close to it.

Handy.

“My basketball number is 20,” she said. “I was in fourth grade when I chose it.”My sister’s number was 22 when I was choosing my number, and so I wanted a number that was kind of close to hers, because I wanted to be like my big sister.”

Other athletes wear an important number in honor of favorite professional players.

For junior Allie Jurgensen, her jersey number for the Wichita Impact softball team is dedicated to her baseball idol.

“My jersey is number four and it’s significant because Yadier Molina has the same number,” Jurgensen said.

“He’s my favorite player on the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, and my role model in life.”

Junior Reed Adams has a similar reasoning behind the club baseball number he’s had since he was in first grade.

“My baseball jersey number is 44. When I started baseball, my coach was giving out jerseys, and he gave me 44,” Adams said. “It also just so happens that my favorite baseball player, Hank Aaron, has the same number. It has been my number for 15 years, and it’ll be my number for years to come.”n

Hannah Jurgensen

Junior Allie Jurgensen wears the No. 4 because her favorite baseball player wears that number.

Submitted by Richard Norrod

Senior Dalton Rupp says that he wears the No. 47 because it makes him feel powerful.

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

20 Photo Focus

1

2

Above.

Senior Warren Goode and the rest of the broadcast crew set up for the morning announcements.

1. Freshman Jalen Diec holds the microphone for freshman Josey Pelz while he gives the weather for the day.

2. Sophomore Adam Clothier and Diec are the anchors for the announcements.

3. Sophomore Tommy Cunningham works with the Tricaster program on the computer. He adjusts the camera angles and backgrounds for the green screen.

4. Goode reports the sports activities going on that day while spinning a basketball on his finger.

4

3

Broadcasting

By Brooke Johanson

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

Maize High

Play newsmagazine maizenews.com

Visit Play for the latest updates on sports, news and other activities going on around Maize

22 Entertainment

What Maize couple are you and your special someone most like?

Answer the question in the heart and follow the line to the best fitting option below

By Kalee Betzen Start

Who wears the pants in your relationship?

I totally do

We definitely do not knowi

You find someone in his or her texts, it is the opposite sex and flirty, what do you do?

Throw the phone and block the number

Talk about it and figure out what’s really going on.

Kind of close

Bring friends to the game

That never happens

Every single day, mostly bickering

How often do you hang out?

Once a weekend

Your significant other has a game but your best friends want to go out, what do you do?

How close are you to your significant other’s parents?

They’re like my second parents

Foreign food and binge watching Netflix

About once a week

What is your idea of a perfect date?

You’re most like Jacob and Allison, you’re goofy and romantic. Your relationship is relaxed and easy going.

As frequently as possible

How did you meet?

Quality alone time with deep conversations

Seniors Shayla Jordan and Jake Tatge

Junior Allison Pieschl and senior Jacob Denning

Hang out with your friends for a little bit after the game

Mostly at night before bed

Very seldom, only when our lives get stressful

In school

Seniors Peyton Quandt and Elijah West

FebruaryPlay | maizenews.com

Go to the game and meet your friends another time

How often do you text or call each other?

How often do you fight?

Around 4 times a week

You’re most like Peyton and Elijah, you may bicker sometimes but at the end of the day you’re inseparable and really care about each other.

We both do

He or she does

You’re most like Shayla and Jake, your relationship is all about compromise.

Whatever makes your partner happy, makes you happy.

Mutual friends

Entertainment 23 13 myths and facts about Friday the 13th There are many superstitions about Friday the 13th, but how many are true?

The information was found on Time Magazine, Tripod.com and Chsarrow.com.

By Jess Ellis and Hannah Jurgensen

1.

If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, someone in your family will die. myth

2.

A child born on Friday the 13th will be unlucky for life. myth

8.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon Bonaparte and Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13. fact

9.

3.

If a funeral procession passes you on Friday the 13th, you will be the next to die. myth

An assembly of witches is called a coven, which consists of 13 witches. fact

4.

Friday the 13th is considered unlucky because Jesus was crucified on Friday. fact

10.

On Friday the 13th people prefer staying at home and keep away from doing anything important, as they are wary of accidents and mishaps on this unlucky day. fact

5.

In many hotels and skyscrapers, there is no 13th floor. Most airplanes have no seat number 13; in Italy, it is usual to leave out 13 in numbering the lottery tickets. fact

11.

If you walk under a ladder or if a black cat crosses you on Friday the 13th, you will have bad luck. myth

6.

If you break a mirror on Friday the 13th, you will have seven years of bad luck. myth

12.

7.

In some big hospitals, there is no operating room 13, to spare the patient added anxiety being wheeled into Room 13. fact

13.

The number of accidents are higher on Friday the 13th, even though a lot of people choose to walk rather than driving their car. fact

Home sales dip 32 percent on the 13th than any other day of the month. If the house number is 13, on average it drops the value of the home by $10,000.

fact

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