February 2020

PLAY By students. For all.

YOLO

YOLO

u receivedYou harassment received hate

YOLO

YOLO

You received abuse

You received harassment YOLO

You received harassment

YOLO

You received ab

YOLO

You received abuse

YOLO

You received harassment

Send validation

YOLO

ou received abuse

YOLO

You received harassment

YOLO

You received abuse

hate

YOLO

YOLO

You received abuse

YOLO

You received hate

YOLO

You received abuse

You received harassment

HELP WANTED PAGE 16

TATTED PAGE 18

BARGAIN BRANDS PAGE 28

YOU ONLY

LIVE ONLINE Snapchat add-on YOLO takes over anonymous messaging

Maize High School | 11600 W 45th St N | Maize, KS 67101 | maizenews.com | Vol. 13 Issue 4 | Feb. 2020

STAFF

Editors-in-chief Abby McCoy Casey Loving

Reporters Morgan Beham Miccella Chenoweth Damiana Eklund Photo editor Abigail Grantham Sam Bartlett Sascha Harvey Madi Hay Social media editor Preston Hunt Abby Turner Carter Jones Keira McGinty Sports editor Londen Peebler Brooklyn Blasdel Teagan Redinger

17 Homeschooled student comes to Maize for basketball.

22

Rayne Rekoske Lily Robison Janeth Saenz Peyton Samek Kyerra Snyder Ellie Stucky Adviser Dan Loving

Students express themselves through their tattoos.

By students. For all.

18

20

ONTENTS

04 10 17 20 26

NEWS 04 | HITTING AT A NEW HOME 09 | BORREGO TO RETIRE

COVER

10 | YOU ONLY LIVE ONLINE

OPINION

15 | END OF AN ERA

EDITORIAL 16 | HELP WANTED

FEATURES 17 | A SMART BOND 18 | TATTED

SPORTS 22 | HOME AWAY FROM HOMESCHOOL 25 | SPORTS IN BRIEF

ENTERTAINMENT 28 | BARGAIN BRANDS 30 | CONTRARY COFFEE

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. 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.

Cover design by Abby McCoy and Sam Bartlett Table of contents photos by Kyerra Snyder, Sam Bartlett, Janeth Saenz and Abby Turner © Copyright 2020 Play Newsmagazine © Copyright 2020 Play Newsmagazine First copy free. Additional copies $1.

Printed by Valley Offset

04 NEWS Our hope is that this stadium will attract many different demographics, especially the young people. Wichita is booming right now, and a part of that growth includes this stadium.

This can be a place for young people to gather, and it goes beyond baseball at this point.

Jessi Holman, ticket sales The baseball stadium will seat 6,000 people in fixed seating and in addition will have burm seating. The stadium will have wider aisles and seats than most stadiums. Photo by Casey Loving

Jessi Holman, a Maize grad, gives a tour of the stadium.

Holman’s job is to get as many people out to see the stadium as possible. Photo by Casey Loving

Pedestrians can watch the Surge hit through the glass windows on Sycamore and Maple streets. The cages have features to black out the windows as well.

Photo by Casey Loving

05

NEWS

Hitting at

A NEW HOME

The Wichita Wind Surge will take the field on April 14 against the Memphis Redbirds. The Surge will play in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

Photo by Casey Loving

Wichita baseball stadium to open April 14 Story by Abby McCoy and Casey Loving @AbigailLMcCoy @CaseyMLoving

T

he new face of Wichita baseball will be in full swing this summer as the Wichita Wind Surge takes the field for the first time.

The stadium, at the site of the former Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, opens April 14 in action against the Memphis Redbirds. The Surge, the top minor-league affiliate of the Miami Marlins, will play in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

“Every day we have multiple teams of being out here changing things, working on things,” said Jessi Holman, ticket sales account representative.

Holman, a 2013 Maize graduate, gives tours to prospective ticket holders and community members.

“Sports [baseball in particular] has been a staple in my family for my entire life,” Holman said. “And for a lot of my life, my family’s livelihood.

There was always an inkling that I would wind up working in sports, but I never thought it would be for a Triple-A team in my hometown.”

Holman said one of the coolest aspects of giving tours was utilizing

virtual reality goggles.

“That’s actually how we did our seat selection,” Holman said. “They came in and put these virtual reality goggles on and got to witness the stadium in its fullness. It’s so real. It’s kinda crazy.”

In the beginning stages, Holman said it was definitely hard trying to visualize what the stadium would look like in the end, but since starting construction in 2018, there has been significant progress. One of the installments Holman is most excited about is the stadium seating. The stadium will seat 6,000 in fixed seating.

Holman said the seats are wider and there is more space between the aisles than most stadiums.

“There’s a lot more comfort that comes with wider aisles and wider seats,” she said.

Another perk of the stadium are the glass windows going around the batting cages. Pedestrians walking down Sycamore and Maple streets will be able to see down into the batting cages where the teams practice.

“They’ll be able to black it out if they want to, obviously, if they don’t want people watching them hit,” Holman said.

Next winter, there has been talk of turning the stadium into an arena for winter sports and activities, mainly ice skating.

“I think our owner has that vision for a winter wonderland thing,” Holman said. “Obviously, it wasn’t anything we could put into place this year. But this upcoming winter, who knows what could happen. Ice skating, hockey -- those are all things that want to be had here.”

Derrick Grubbs, vice president of game entertainment, has high hopes for the stadium’s success.

“It will be fan-friendly, clean and an entertaining venue,” Grubbs said. “ Thousands of fans having a terrific time at Wind Surge games and other events held at the stadium.”

Holman said she hopes the stadium will become another one of Wichita’s iconic landmarks.

“Our hope is that this stadium will attract many different demographics, especially the young people,” Holman said. “Wichita is booming right now, and a part of that growth includes this stadium. This can be a place for young people to gather, and it goes beyond baseball at this point.” n

06 NEWS

News in Brief

A quick glance at headlines in Maize from the past month

Pages by Peyton Samek

DEBATE TAKES STATE Senior Brynnalese Nelson and junior Jeannine Lopez won the two-speaker debate championship against the other 40 teams who were there in Hutch.

Courtesy photo

FINALS IN FLUX

Teachers are looking to possibly implement a finals schedule. Nothing is set, but typically this means students would test in first block and third block on one day and second block and fourth block the next day. Those classes will have extended time to work on the final exam. Students were surveyed about their opinion.

Courtesy photo

NEW DUGS

As softball season grows closer, new dugouts are being added to the field.

Improvements include more space and heaters.

Photo by Peyton Samek

07

NEWS

ART HOUSE A new Clifton Collective has opened in Maize just across the street from Moxi Junction. Clifton Collective is a locally owned store that sells multiple types of goods from Wichita artisans and makers.

Customers can purchase anything from clothes to candles and anything in between.

Photo by Peyton Samek

VEX VICTORS

Seniors Sam Bartlett, Cole Sphar and Jacob Shove’s robotics team has won two tournaments during the season so far. Their team has two more tournaments to compete in before state.

Courtesy photo

Family owned for over 40 years.

8 Wichita Area Locations!

BUY TWO DINNERS & TWO DRINKS FOR $9.99 Dinners 1-5 only.

8385 W 21st St | 7333 W Central

@maizepubs STAY UP TO DATE ON MAIZE NEWS

Borrego to retire after this year Page by Ellie Stucky and Damiana Eklund @Ellierae_03

C

hristine Borrego never dreamed of being a teacher as a child. She went through a couple different majors before she decided to teach English. Now, after 26 years of teaching at Maize, Borrego is retiring from her position of Honors English and AP Literature teacher.

“I was a graphic design major for a while,” Borrego said. “I was a journalism major, but that didn’t really click with me. I taught some journalism very early in my career, but that was in the cut-paste days.”

Despite her different ideas for a career, Borrego came upon teaching and has been doing so for, in her own words, “35 glorious years.” Borrego started at Clearwater High School in 1985 and moved to Shawnee Heights for two years before finally moving to Maize High.

Though Borrego said she thinks it’s time to leave, her emotions toward the students and staff show how she is going to miss it. Borrego shed a tear as she spoke of her favorite part of the job.

“I like kids, I like my colleagues,” she said. “Being the master of my domain is really cool. I don’t have a boss that’s breathing down my neck. I’m the boss breathing down your neck.”

Senior Taylor Wolgast has been in

Borrego’s English 10 Honors class and her AP Literature class. She said she is happy that Borrego waited until after she graduates to retire but is glad she’s leaving when she wants to.

“She’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever had,” Wolgast said. “I left her class knowing more than [with] any other teacher I’ve ever had. She really formed a genuine connection with all of her students.”

Wolgast said her favorite thing about being in Borrego’s English classes is the way she teaches and conveys information to her students.

“She’s made me a much better writer, which I know will help in college,” Wolgast said. “She’s also really pushing for us to learn how to analyze everything. Not just the text that we read, but also like news articles and real life.

Wolgast enjoyed many things about that class, but she said reading “Macbeth” was her favorite memory from her time with Borrego.

“She loves Macbeth,” Wolgast said.

“It was really cool to hear her talk about Macbeth and how in-depth she knows about it.”

Principal Chris Botts fondly remembers having his first conversation with Borrego when he was hired. He said she talked about all the books she was reading, or going to read, and her love of learning. He said he doesn’t remember all the conversations from that day, but Borrego made quite the

09

NEWS

lasting impression.

“What I recall was when I first got hired,” Botts said. “I would bring in any teacher who wanted to come in and just get to know me as the principal, and I got to know them a little bit more. She set up an appointment, she began talking, and I [thought], man, our school’s in such good shape because we’ve got teachers like this.”

Botts said Borrego always keeps him on his toes, serving as the voice inside his head every time he makes a decision regarding the school.

“I have a little Chris Borrego on my shoulder,” Botts said. “What is she going to say or how is she going to react if we make this decision? That’s what I appreciate the most about her.”

Botts said Borrego’s retirement is gut-wrenching. He wishes his kids could’ve had the opportunity to be taught by her.

“When I’m in her classroom, I mean, I just sit back,” he said. “She’s got such great relationships with the kids.

They’re learning at a very high level, and she’s having fun doing it too.”

Botts holds Borrego in high regards and said he is going to do the best he can to fill her shoes at the conclusion of this school year.

“She’s the real deal,” Botts said. “It’s impossible to replace Chris Borrego.

So, we will do our best to find someone who can come in and maybe, maybe become the next Chris Borrego.”n Christine Borrego teaches her AP Literature class.

She teaches seniors AP Literature and sophomores Honors English.

Photo by Ellie Stucky

10 COVER You YOLO

You s

ent h

aras

YOL O

rec

eiv

ed

abu

se

sme

nt ed LO iv YO ce re

u Yo

s xt se

YOLO

e

LO

h YO ed eiv rec

You

You sent abus

ate

YOLO

reats

ent th

s You

YOLO

You sent hate u Yo

d LO ve ei YO ec

r

ra

ha

YOLO

s

t

en

m

ss

nt sext

You se

LO YO

nt

se

u Yo

te

ha

You

YOL O

rec

eiv

ed

YOLO

You

se abu ent

s

YOLO

You received

hate

YOLO

You received

YOLO

You received sexts

Photo illustration by Sam Bartlett

abuse

thre

ats

11

COVER

You Only Live Online

Snapchat add-on YOLO takes over anonymous messaging Story by Sascha Harvey @saschaharvey Design by Rayne Rekoske @raynerekoskee

I

’m feeling lonely right now. My friends are busy, my crush won’t text me back, and I have a fivepage essay on a book I didn’t even read due tomorrow morning.

There is that weird app on everyone’s Snapchat stories, though.

Maybe I could try that: get some advice, make some new friends, see what people think of my haircut.

Maybe I could get something more out of it, too.

You only live once, right?

Yolo is the French-based app taking young adults’ social media by storm.

After a few clicks, users can request honest messages from everyone: from friends to enemies to anything in between. However, Yolo differs from other messaging apps in one major way: it’s completely anonymous.

When one first opens the app, they’ll be met with a warning message.

“Yolo has no tolerance for objectionable content or abusive users,” the message says. “You’ll be banned for any inappropriate usage.”

One reviewer said that the app “will help you reveal [the] bully’s identity and report [them].” However, other app store reviews and even USAToday have questioned whether antibullying measures are taking place. “[Users] find it fun and adventurous to discover who the other anonymous people are,” John Suler, a professor of psychology at Rider University in New Jersey and author of “Psychology of

the Digital Age,” said in an interview.

“It’s a type of game, like being at a costume party, and can be rather exciting.”

Freshman Bailey Martin uses Yolo as a fun way to make others laugh with no names attached.

“It’s just entertaining,” she said. “I like to see what random things people can come up with.”

Some dislike the anonymity of the app, which allows users to post hateful speech without punishment.

“Honesty is my highest moral value,”

“Being anonymous allows true answers without the fear of being called out.”

Hailey Woley, senior

senior Lydia Wiglesworth said in an online survey, “Why would I want people hiding their identity to say their opinions?”

Due to the very nature of the app coupled with no proven repercussions, one can say anything that’s on their mind, no matter the content, with no consequences.

This often leads to bullying and harassment. Sophomore Chaz Smith has been on both sides, having sent and received bullying messages.

“If I’m super angry at some point in time, I’ll just go off on somebody,” he said.

Smith said he felt guilty after

sending the message, which later was revealed to have been sent by him.

Smith said he’s since worked out his differences with the person he messaged. “[I] felt proud but at the same time ... felt it was not right,” he said after sending the initial message.

Pediatrician Erin Peebles said a lack of consequences and being unable to see the victim’s reactions is what makes anonymous cyberbullying so common. “[Cyberbullying] provides anonymity to the bully not possible with traditional bullying,” she said in her article “Cyberbullying: Hiding behind the screen.” “Studies have shown that [bullies] feel less remorse.”

In a survey of 123 Maize students, 58.3% who have used Yolo reported receiving bullying messages.

“Why should [bullies] be held responsible for what happens in that make-believe play world that has nothing to do with reality?” said Suler, the Rider professor.

Shoot your shot

Like many other apps, young adults have begun to use Yolo for romantic gain. Of 48 surveyed students who said they used Yolo, 25% have used the app for romantic gain.

“It’s easier to ask someone if they are single or dating anyone if it’s anonymous,” junior Austin Sanderson said on the online survey.

Junior Cole Wheeler also uses Yolo to make romantic advances because it’s the “easiest option.”

“Honesty is my highest moral value, so why would I want people hiding their identity to say their opinions?”

Senior Lydia Wiglesworth said in Play survey

12 COVER

53.3%

46.7%

In our survey, 46.7% of students said they use YOLO to send anonymous messages to others. 123 students responded to the survey.

Chart by Rayne Rekoske

“[People] use it to tell the person how they feel, but they don’t expect anything out of it because it’s anonymous,” he said in an interview.”[I’ll] sometimes message girls on it because it’s easier.”

Wheeler said he thinks that, without the anonymity factor, Yolo would be similar to Tinder.

Yolo isn’t advertised as a dating app. Yet, out of 39 pre-generated prompts for receiving messages, 12 are directly related to dating. These include asking who the user would be a cute couple with or whether the respondents would date them.

“It’s kinda fun to flirt with my crush, but anonymously,” senior Sofia Roszel said in the survey.

Anonymous flirting can be attributed to the way the human mind views online interactions. While flirting in person can feel real and personable, online flirting is processed merely like another imaginative fantasy to the brain, Suler said.

“People fantasize about flirting ... or very honestly confronting a friend about what they feel,” Suler said. “In their imagination, where it’s safe, people feel free to say and do all sorts of things that they wouldn’t in reality.

At that moment, reality is one’s imagination.”

Send your honesty

Anonymity is what draws many users to apps such as Yolo and is the factor that separates it from the

The most common reason found from Play’s survey for why students use YOLO is because they are bored and want something fun to do. Photo by Sam Bartlett

Instagram question feature or regular messaging apps.

“Anonymity is an important feature of the online disinhibition effect,” Suler said. “It’s well-known that people say and do things in cyberspace that they wouldn’t ordinarily say or do in the face-to-face world.”

They loosen up, feel more free and express themselves more openly, he said. He said researchers call this the disinhibition effect.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” Suler said. “Sometimes people share very personal things about themselves.

They reveal secret emotions, fears, wishes. Or they show unusual acts of kindness and generosity. We may call this benign disinhibition.”

This lack of online discipline explains why young adults send kind and thoughtful messages to others without any social gain.

“On the other hand, the disinhibition effect may not be so benign,” Suler said. “Out spills rude language and harsh criticisms, anger, hatred, even threats. ... We might call this toxic disinhibition.”

This “double-edged sword” of benign and toxic freedom is what makes Yolo so popular among young adults. The lure of clearing your mind with no repercussions, whether good or bad, is what pulls many in to send honest messages to their peers.

“When someone sends me a rude message, I usually don’t post

it because I don’t want to start anything,” junior Kyle Rothrock said.

Senior Hailey Woley uses Yolo to send and receive messages because it eliminates the fear of confrontation that stems with in-person interactions.

“Being anonymous allows true answers without the fear of being called out,” she said on an online survey.

Out of 123 responses to an online survey, about 22% of people said that Yolo is used to see what people truly think.

“Online text communication can become the psychological tapestry in which a person’s mind weaves these fantasy role plays,” Suler said, “Usually unconsciously and with considerable disinhibition. All of cyberspace is a stage, and we are merely players.”

Protect Young Eyes, an American internet safety group, believes that Yolo is unsafe for students.

“Anonymity has always created a breeding ground for hate and very poor teen decision making,” the group said. “The path of similar apps [such as] Lipsi, Sarahah, Afterschool, Whisper and Ask.fm is paved with bullies and hurt kids.”

Send your harassment Although Yolo claims to be a platform to find out “what your friends think,” more users receive bullying than not.

“Unfortunately, some young adults

13

COVER use that freedom of anonymity to act out on other people whatever frustrations or anger they carry over from their ‘real’ lives, sometimes without even realizing they are doing it,” Suler said. “That’s when people get hurt.”

Junior Tyler Massie is averse to anonymous messaging apps due to bullying he experienced a few years prior. He used to use an app comparable to Yolo called Whisper where users can post anonymous confessions and receive feedback.

However, he was met with nothing but negativity and bullying and began to turn to real-life friends instead.

“I guess I just grew out of [using Whisper],” he said. “I was like, ‘I have people, like actual, physical human beings I can talk to, rather than random strangers online.’ I slowly stopped using it.”

Senior Kevin Hale sings a similar tune but continues to use Yolo. He originally used Yolo because he was bored and wanted something to do. He eventually began to receive rude comments about his hair but continues to use it because the positive comments outweigh the negative responses. “[People] get a weird satisfaction from it because they get attention,” he said.

Junior Haley Smith said she thinks that if you’re getting bullied on an app similar to Yolo, the problem can easily be solved by deleting the app. Yet, even after receiving online harassment, some young adults still find themselves asking others to “swipe up.”

“Even when things get nasty, when bullying and trolling gets out of hand, some people might still come back because the whole thing feels like some kind of weird reality TV show,” Suler said. “It gets ugly, but they can’t help but want to watch.”

You only live once, right? n

Students use the app for romantic gain as well as to alleviate their boredom. Some students from Play’s survey said they like to see if their crush is single or not, but some end up receiving inappropriate messages instead. Photo by Sam Bartlett

23%

77% In our survey, 23% of students said they have received a rude message on the app YOLO. 123 students responded to the survey.

Chart by Rayne Rekoske

“It’s not something to be putting negative comments on; it’s something to be putting positive comments on.”

Haley Smith, junior

14 COLUMN

Built-in best friend

The person I can always count on, I’ve known since the day he was born Column by Abby McCoy @AbigailLMcCoy

T

he truth is, I was pretty upset when mom told me I was going to have a little brother. Man, did I want a little sister.

When you were born, Grandma and Grandpa took me up to the hospital to see you. I don’t remember much about the first time we met, after all I was only 2 years old. But when the memories of that day come flooding back, all I can seem to grasp is that you were pure joy in my arms. It was like holding a ray of sunshine on the mid-January afternoon that you came into the universe. I was thrilled that mom let me hold you. I felt like an adult, like someone who was going to take care of you.

Your eyes weren’t even open yet, but I knew that when they did, you would look up and see your biggest fan cheering you on. From that moment forward, I was crowned your big sister, and I wore it with pride. I pledged my loyalty to protect you and teach you everything you needed to know and more.

When we took you home I was eager to show you around. Mom, Dad and I had been working diligently to get everything ready for your homecoming. Eventually your blue eyes opened and, well -- you probably cried -- like babies do, but with some time you grew older and knew how to do more than just eat, sleep and cry.

You started to walk, talk and watch “Star Wars.” I showed you how to play games, tie your shoes. Together we

convinced dad to buy us lightsabers of our own.

With your immense bravery, we commenced bug hunts in the backyard, which usually ended with me screaming out of fear or crying because you accidently killed a ladybug.

We were a pair of entrepreneurs, assembling lemonade stands in our front yard. You trusted me to make the signs and you fixed the lemonade because I didn’t possess the patience to measure any ingredients, and you did.

We would sit in dad’s office for hours upon hours during the summer playing computer games. The room had two desks, each with a computer on opposite walls with desk chairs twice the size of us. We would sometimes fight over who got the bigger, better chair, but usually you would give it to me.

You would let me pick the crayons from the box first and you wouldn’t complain when I snuck one of your fries during dinner. You never yelled at me or hit me when I knocked over your Lego sets.

Then, I blinked.

Sometimes I wish I could stop the clock because the thought of leaving you next year when I go to college is the scariest feeling.

No longer do you have to look up to your biggest fan because she’s eight inches shorter than you. You can drive all by yourself now, and I can sit in the passenger seat. And I’m not upset at all anymore that I didn’t get a little sister. The only thing that’s remained the same is our “Star Wars” obses-

sion, and your heart.

I’ve stood back from the sidelines and watched you surpass challenges, learn pivotal life lessons and grow tremendously as a person. I think being close in age helped our relationship blossom, but ultimately I think it’s so much more than that. It’s your heart.

Your ability to find even the most broken pieces in someone and make them bright. You know how to take a flaw and make glitter in perfection.

More importantly, you know how to find the light in yourself, which is a rarity.

I hope you never stop making a room in your heart to embrace everything that makes you the best, most authentic version of yourself.

You can talk about history, music and art for hours without stopping to take a breath.

You only like your coffee black.

You long to take road trips to coastal towns and blast “Home” by Cavetown in your Jeep with the windows rolled.

You consider yourself a minimalist, which I believe to be completely true.

You love Frank Sinatra. I kinda consider you an old soul.

You have a contagious laugh; everyone practically begs for an opportunity to be around you. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve heard, “but is AJ coming?”

You can be the quietest or loudest person in the room, depending on the crowd.

You are level-headed, rational and confident.

You are my best friend.

My brother, my ray of sunshine. n

The end of an era

15

OPINION

Borrego’s retirement puts a bittersweet ending on a great career Senior Casey Loving sneaks a picture with AP lit teacher Christine Borrego by reading a monologue from the Shakespearean tragedy “Othello.” Loving considers Borrego to be one of his mentors and is thankful for the time he had under her tutelage.

Photo by Preston Hunt

Column by Casey Loving @CaseyMLoving

I

have always said that Maize High is a place where the best of the best gather to share their skills. This extends beyond school pride. I’m not just saying that because I go to school here. I legitimately believe the teachers I’ve had like Doris Prater, Stan Bergkamp and principal Chris Botts and so many others are simply unmatched in their talent for teaching.

At the end of the year, Maize will be losing one of its best. Christine Borrego, a genuine legend in the English department, will soon retire from her position as AP lit and honors English teacher.

It goes without saying that whoever replaces Borrego is going to have huge shoes to fill. But I’m graduating in about four months, so I don’t really have to worry about that. So, instead of being sad and pensively looking forward, I’m going to celebrate the past, looking back on what Borrego meant to me and, I have to assume, the rest of our school.

I came into Borrego’s class for the first time my sophomore year with a lot of raw talent and nothing to do with it. I liked to write and did well in English classes, but I really don’t know how much I actually knew what I was doing.

Going back and reading my old work from before I entered English 10 Honors (please don’t), I realize that I

am a substantially better writer than I was when I entered that class. This isn’t something that just happened. I didn’t simply get better over time out of necessity. That came from her.

I’ve begun noticing just how much her teaching has become second nature to me. Rules I learned from her, strategies to improve my writing, have ingrained themselves in me as innocuous edits.

“Borrego, more than anyone else, made me a writer. I owe a large part of who I am to her tutelage.”

Casey Loving, opinion columnist Borrego taught me a love for the English language, showing me that it’s an art form just as much as a means of communication. She helped me learn grammatical rules so I could know when to break them. She made me create a voice that, since I left her class, I have been expected to publish a column under five times a year.

When you ask me where my greatest passions lie, I promise you one of my first answers will be in writing.

And Borrego, more than anyone else, made me a writer. I owe a large part of who I am to her tutelage.

I feel bad for the students who will never get to read a Shakespearean

tragedy or an old piece of poetry with Borrego. Those who don’t get to pour over seemingly incomprehensible words and find the beauty in that which initially went over their head.

I feel bad for the students who will never get to have a discussion over last night’s reading with Borrego, sharing and dissecting interpretations with a teacher who, having read the book many times before, is just as eager to talk about it as if she had read it for the first time yesterday.

I feel bad for the students who will never get to do a project in Borrego’s class. Those who don’t get to use their male friend as a female dance partner for a dance in front of the class, then use that same friend as the Lady Macbeth to your Macbeth, and then years later be used by that friend in another of her classes to recreate a romantic scene from a summer reading assignment. Maybe that one only applies to me, but I still feel bad for it.

But, just as it is time for me to move on to college, I know that it is time for her to move on as well. She’s been in the game for a while, and some may say she’s gotten to be the best at it.

But I know that, somewhere over the years, she has prepared one of the world’s next Christine Borrego’s to step up and fill the void.

So thank you, Mrs. Borrego, for being my mentor these past few years.

You’ve prepared me to embark on the next chapter of my life. I hope yours treats you well. n

16 EDITORIAL

Help Wanted

We need certified librarians Staff Editorial by Londen Peebler @londenmaleigha

W

e remember like it was yesterday, the cool breeze in the hallways as we walked down to the library, the hard wooden chairs we slouched in as we listened and the way the projector glowed like an open window in a dark room. The library was another classroom, a social center and a hub for learning and research. On the top of this social hierarchy was the librarian, poised and ready to suggest books that pique our interest and to guide us in that super hard research paper we have coming up.

Now, we might enter the library a couple times a week to print our homework before booking it to our next block or to check out a textbook we open a single time for class.

Four years ago, the librarian position at Maize High was cut from the staff and replaced with library paras who aid students and teachers in checking books in and out.

Principal Chris Botts said the decision to cut that staff position was a budgetary decision and not an easy one to make.

“Funding was just not there, and school districts were taking a hit,” Botts said. “We were trying to find as many different areas as we could to save money so that we could keep teachers in the classrooms, and unfortunately that was one of the positions chosen by the district to be eliminated at the high school, secondary level.”

Maize is an anomaly considering most schools nearby, such as Goddard and Andover, still hired librarians this year. Librarians are not a luxury, but an irreplaceable part of our school and it’s way past time we had one back on staff at Maize High.

English teacher Cady Jackson said she feels that one of the biggest issues plaguing our school is the lack of awareness we have for the after effects of not having a certified librarian on staff.

“I feel that many of our students and parents don't realize that we don't have a librarian,” Jackson said.

“People are unaware that currently serving our student population are paras who are only capable of doing so much based on pay and time they have.”

Of course our library paras are fantastic, but their job does not involve all the responsibilities that a librarian will take on as both a digital media specialist and research guide for students. Most librarians attain a masters degree in library science which provides them with knowledge like book preservation, digital preservation, managing a library and research methodology.

One of the expectations we face entering higher level education is having the ability to find reliable sources and to know how to thoroughly research a topic. Teachers are helping us the best they can, but it’s really not in their jurisdiction.

“There's an expectation that students know how to access a database, that they know how to gather research, that they know what are good sources,” Jackson said.

“Yes, we teach all that in the classrooms, but we’re not experts in that major.”

Editorial Cartoon by Addison Fiola

The workload becomes more taxing now that teachers are responsible for their course work as well as consulting on the logistics of how to complete that work. This makes for a slower learning pace that puts unnecessary stress on students and teachers alike.

Librarians also serve each school as a coordinator of sorts. They plan lessons and communicate with teachers about online databases that are available to them and how to access them. This past year our teachers had to deal with a lack of communication when the databases disappeared.

Jackson recently went on maternity leave when her son was born and spent copious time and effort to make sure her students had step-by-step instructions on how to access the resources they would need while she was away.

When the students and her sub went to access them, however, they were gone.

“It’s one thing to change things,” Jackson said. “But to not know that changes have taken place because we have no communicator is the real problem.”

Librarians are so much more than just “book orderers.”

They are the veins in our student body, ones we can rely on for so many things. When we don’t have that staff member, the loss is felt by students, teachers and administration alike. The library paras do an amazing job, and we appreciate everything they do for the library and the school, but having a librarian in the future would increase the rate at which we are learning and aid teachers in their effort to give us the best education they can while covering all the curriculum.

Botts commends the library paras for all their hard work and help but should the money be there in the future, he said that the chances of having a librarian again would be high.

“I think it has to be on the list,” Botts said. “I couldn't estimate when, but the teachers I've talked to and other administrators throughout the district agree that it’s a need, not a want.” n

17

FEATURES

Senior Avery Stilwell and his dad David Stilwell work on their Smart car together. They started working on them a year ago. Photo by Kyerra Snyder

A SMART BOND

Senior and father connect through smart car engineering Story by Kyerra Snyder @kyerrasnyder

S

enior Avery Stilwell has recently started working on his own Smart cars this year with his dad, David Stilwell, as a way to cultivate their bond. The two have made the aesthetic of their car’s look match the quality of the performance.

While working on Smart cars it has helped them pursue a special fatherand-son bond.

“It is a lot of fun because we don’t connect well with this aspect because he is all about doing different things than me,” Avery said. “Being able to spend time with my dad is nice, and it makes our connection better.”

David sees fixing up cars as a hobby of his and is excited to teach Avery more about the craft.

“There are simple things that he has

to pay good money for or he could work on them himself, and he has to learn from somebody and that somebody is me,” David said. “Us working on them together will always make our bond stronger.”

Avery and David started working on Smart cars in particular a year ago and said they are easier to work on than most other cars.

“Smart cars are a lot easier to fix because everything is right next to each other and compacted,” Avery said.

Avery said the reason he started working on Smart cars is entirely his father’s doing.

“He is addicted to Smart cars,” he said. “It’s like his new life, maybe even his mid-life crisis.”

Even though Avery doesn’t want to pursue a career in anything to do with cars, he said he is just happy

that his relationship with his dad has grown stronger.

“The whole purpose is to make them look way cooler and just to have fun with my dad while doing it,” Avery said. n

One of the Stilwell’s custom Smart cars.

Courtesy Photo

18 FEATURES

A

B D

C

A

A Permanent Mark

19

FEATURES

Students and teachers reflect on what tattoos mean to them Page by Abby Turner @abbyturner31 and Miccella Chenoweth @kellasabrina

A

s the needle punctures the skin with dark ink, a mark is left permanently. A piece of art to last forever. A tattoo.

Some may see tattoos as frightening or too big of a commitment, but for many it is a form of art and expression that has become more accepted.

“I think that, especially in our field, you’re seeing more and more teachers with tattoos,” industrial arts teacher Caitlyn Gregory said. “I think the mentality of them being more gangand drug related has stopped, and it’s more like an artistic expression.”

Even though tattoos are more acceptable now, the workplace is still progressing with its acceptability of them.

“I think [the workplace] has to be [more accepting of tattoos], because so many more people have them,” social studies teacher Ben Harlow said.

“I think they’re personal, and a person has a right to do with their body as they wish.”

Many people see their tattoos as an expression of their life or

an art piece that they can literally wear on their sleeve.

“I just think [a tattoo] makes you more relatable, and I like how it expresses your individuality,” Gregory said.

Senior Creighton Kelley said he uses his tattoo as an expression of his faith and personal philosophies.

“It’s a Bible verse, Philippians 4:13,” he said. “It’s just kind of motivation.

It tells me I can get through tough times.”

Gregory has many tattoos, but her favorite is a sentiment to motivation.

“I have 14,” Gregory said. “One of my favorites … says either ‘process’ or ‘fix it,’ depending on which way you use it. To me, it just symbolizes if it’s broken, fix it. Figure out how to fix it and process, because nobody wants to see the process of where you got to where you’re at now, but the process is important.”

Senior Jaida Butler’s tattoo is sentimental to her relationship with her grandfather and his encouragement of her.

“My granddad was an artist, and he had a drawing that I liked,” Butler said. “It was an elephant and a lion together, that’s both of our spirit animals. I got them separated where it says ‘Be brave.

Be strong.’”

Senior

Keaton Robertson wanted to have a tattoo that symbolizes the importance of family.

“My family means a lot to me; that’s what inspired me to get them,” Robertson said.

A tattoo on his arm is a wing with the date his parents got married. His last name is inscribed on his back.

“That means if all else fails, I have my family on my back,” he said.

Wanting a tattoo can be exciting, but sitting in the chair and realizing what is about to happen can be a much different story.

“I was a little nervous because I only went in to go make an appointment for it, and then they were like ‘We could do it right now,’ and I was by myself so I was like ‘OK,’ ” Kelley said.

Thinking about a tattoo can be fun, but thinking about the future should also be an important part of the decision-making process.

“You know, we have students in high school who get tattoos, and I’ve probably never seen 99% of them,” Harlow said. “If they want to fall into a path or career that requires professional dress, they should consider that.”

Although tattoos aren’t for everyone, in the end it comes down to a personal decision of how you choose to express yourself, externally or internally.

“Express yourself. I mean, they might be random,” Robertson said.

“They might not mean a lot to anybody else, but if the tattoo means a lot to you, get it.” n

A: Creighton Kelley B: Caitlyn Gregory C: Keaton Robertson

D: Jaida Butler

20 SPORTS

RED WHITE &BLUE Playing for the

Olympian Kelsey Stewart is ready to represent her country on Team USA for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Photo by Sam Bartlett

21

Maize alum Kelsey Stewart represents United States on Olympic softball team Story by Brooklyn Blasdel

A

fter playing for Maize’s red and white, graduate Kelsey Stewart has added blue to her team colors.

Stewart, a softball player since she was 7, will represent the United States in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Stewart said she did not expect much from her start on a club team with her friend.

“I actually got put on the team because they didn’t have enough players, so they just asked me because I was young,” Stewart said of her earliest years in the sport.

Stewart has strong memories from playing at Maize. Softball gave her many opportunities to have fun at practices and tournaments.

“I was hitting on the varsity field, and I hit a home run that went onto the JV field, and I was like ‘Wow, I can kind of hit a little bit,’ ” Stewart said. “[I also loved] being with my teammates and having team dinners that we did all the time. That was probably the best part.”

Stewart’s former high school coach, math teacher Jenny Meirowsky, said Stewart’s skill in high school as incredible for her age.

“Her softball skills were effortless,” Meirowsky said. “All her motions were made without hesitation and with confidence. But even more impressive to me was her knowledge of the game.”

Meirowsky said Stewart not only stood out on the field, but also in the way she treated her teammates off the field impressed her coaches as well.

“I could tell you that she almost broke the school’s career home runs for the one year she was here or her great diving catches,” Meirowsky said.

“But what sticks out even more is how well she worked with her teammates, especially the younger athletes on the team. She was patient, a good teacher, and passionate about the game.

After graduating high school, Stewart continued her softball career at the University of Florida. Her teammates continued to push her to be better and help her expand her talents.

“I get texts every morning like ‘Get 1% better today,’ ‘Did you work out today,’ stuff like that. We all have the same goal right now, we’re trying to win a gold medal July 28 this year,”

Stewart said. “I think just the little things like that, like ‘Did you get better today’ or ‘What are you doing?

Well, since you’re just sitting there, let’s go on a run or something.’ ” Stewart also said that while teammates can help push you, you also have to want it for yourself. She attributes a lot of her success to her competitive personality.

“I’ll run through a wall to win a game,” Stewart said. “I think that I have become a very good teammate and just know how to talk to my teammates and their personalities.”

Stewart’s parents, also a big part of her success, said she has always had the desire and determination to play on a higher level, and nothing has stopped her from achieving that.

“Kelsey is the type of kid that can do anything she puts her mind to,” said her father, Chris Stewart. “We knew she could play at a high level. However, she has exceeded our expectations of what she could do and where her love for the sport has taken her.”

Stewart said she has even exceeded her own expectations. Post college, she never expected to be able to continue having a career in softball.

“I honestly just thought that after Florida I’d be done with softball,” Stewart said.

Softball has not been in the Olympics since 2008 and was just added along with baseball this year to the Olympic schedule.

“I was like, ‘Oh, that would be kind of fun if I could do that,’ and then seven years later I made the Olympic team.”

Meirowsky said she is sending her best before the game, and hopes Stewart can perform at her highest ability. “[I would tell her] Enjoy the game and embrace your opportunity to be a role model to so many young females that will aspire to be just like you one day,” she said. “Best of luck!”

Stewart has worked hard to get to where she is and said that pushing herself and being competitive has led her to a career doing the sport she loves.

“When you get to the level I’m at, it’s all accountability,” she said. “There’s no one pushing you to do it, you either want it or you don’t.”n

SPORTS

Bio uHigh

school: Maize uClub team: Mustangs uCollege: Florida uPosition: Middle infielder uHeight: 5-foot-6 uUniform number: 7

Achievements u2019

Pan American Games gold medalist uWBSC

Women’s World championship gold medalist 2016 and 2018 uHad

the game-winning, walk-off hit against Japan in the 2018 Women’s World Championship u2018

USA Softball International Cup u2015

SEC Player of the Year

Information from teamusa.org

Stewart said she has good memories from playing at Maize. She now hopes to make more good memories on the Olympic team.

Photo by Sam Bartlett

22 SPORTS

Away Homefrom Homeschool Junior Winston Bing goes up for a shot during the first half of the Maize vs. Maize South game. His coach said one of his strengths is ball handling.

Photo by Sam Bartlett

23

SPORTS

Junior Winston Bing, attending public school for first time, finds a good fit with Eagles Story by Madi Hay and Abigail Grantham @Madihay3

W

inston Bing might seem like a normal student to a passerby. A varsity basketball player and a junior, Bing works hard to be the best athlete he can be. What you might not see is that Bing is only here for one block each day, staying for after-school practice.

Bing has been homeschooled his entire life and still takes classes at home.“Normally I wake up, then I will do some school work if I have some, and if not then I will just hang out,” Bing said. “[Homeschooling] isn’t much different. I’m not at school all day, but it doesn’t feel any different.”

Bing is at Maize only for fourth block but fits in with the rest of the team all the same.

“I think it helps that he has weights here,” coach Chris Grill said. “I think he is learning to fit in with the other guys, and the other guys accept him.”

Bing, who has played basketball since he was four, said Maize was his first choice when he was looking for schools.

“I felt like it was the best fit for me at the time,” Bing said. “I was looking for a school to come to for the first time, and I heard a lot of good things.”

Winston’s mom, Jamie Bing, said their family has homeschooled for 24 years. She said Maize was the best option for Winston to break the streak.

“We felt that this opportunity at Maize is part of the path for Winston,” Jamie said.

Winston said Maize has been easy for him to get used to due to the friendly staff and students.

“The community seems very welcoming of me as a basketball player and just as a student,” Bing said. “It is helpful to have people that support

106 points total in 13 games

Bing balances basketball and getting a homeschool education.

Photo by Rayne Rekoske

what I want to do.”

However, Bing said the number of people at the school has been enlightening. “I am just not used to this many people,” he said.

Due to his extra time at home, Bing’s schedule is worlds different from everyday public schoolers. His mom said it is a lot easier for Bing to get his school work done on his own than at school. Thanks to the extra time for school work, he also has more time he can spend working out in the gym.

“Since he is the only student in his class, he’s able to get his work done

Bing’s Stats 1.8 assists per game

earlier than a student that would attend the regular classroom,” Jamie said. “This additional time allows him more flexibility in getting to the gym.

His basketball is second to academics; he is required to complete his academics prior to any additional time in the gym.”

Grill said Bing improves every day and is always striving to better himself.

“He is a pretty humble kid,” Grill said. “I don’t think he is one that thinks he is better than anyone else.

He just goes out there and tries to improve each day and help the team be a better team.”

Whether it’s on or off the court, Bing shows his coaches and teammates he works to be the best athlete and student he can be. Bing said he strives to know the game as well as he can so it can benefit him offensively.

“I think Winston helps us; he definitely has the ability to shoot outside long range,” Grill said. “He has a really good understanding of basketball offensively, how to move the ball and when to make the right pass.”

This season, Bing has scored 106 total points in the 13 games he has played. Although his stats are impressive, Grill said, he does a lot more than just score points for the team.

“I think he has more of a calming effect on our guys,” Grill said. “I think he helps us out in those ways quite a bit, just having a high IQ in basketball.”

Grill said Bing isn’t different from the rest of the kids on the team who go to school all day.

“So far he is like a lot of kids,” Grill said. “When he plays well he is pretty happy, and when he doesn’t have the best game he thinks he should have he’s disappointed. All in all, I think he’s enjoying it, and we are enjoying having him.”n

9.1 average points per game

BUY A

NEED A JOB? Text the words:

LANE CAREERS

NEED $$$ for College? $2,500

3 months employed & minimum 15 hrs/week

$3,000

to 2 0 1 9 - 2316-11 020 REGAL RED YEARBOOK

D O N ' T M I S S Y O U R C H A N C E T Oin tuition PUR C H AforSeligible E Amanagers assistance working 30 hrs/week

PRICE INCREASES TO $45 MARCH 1 For more information please visit www.archwaystoopportunity.com

LANE ENTERPRISES

SUPPORT STUDENT JOURNALISM ADVERTISE WITH MAIZE PUBLICATIONS NEWSMAG ADS/INSERTS YEARBOOK ADS SENIOR ADS SOCIAL MEDIA ADS

BUY A

contact: playnewsmagadvertising@gmail.com

A UNIQUE BOUTIQUE 1719 S. Hillside

Wichita, KS 67211

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO PURCHASE A 2019-2020 REGAL RED YEARBOOK

PRICE INCREASES TO $45 MARCH 1

Nice to be important.

Important to be nice.

Friend us on Sunday: 1-6 Facebook Mon - Sat: 10-9 Phone: 682-5531 1-800-NOW-DANC

25

SPORTS

W I N T E R Design by Teagan Redinger @teaganredinger

Sports Update

GIRLS Basketball

10 - 5 2nd in Topeka tournament

BOYS WRESTLING

First at Shawnee Mission tournament BOYS SWIMMING

Basketball

8-7 Defeated Maize South

placed 3rd at home meet

Keegan Harrod drives to the basket during Maize vs. Maize South game.

Photo by Sam Barrtlett

G I R L S Basketball

B O Y S Basketball

2/14 Campus 2/18 @Hutchinson 2/21 @Salina Central 2/25 Salina South 2/27 @Derby

2/14 Campus 2/18 @Hutchinson 2/21 @Salina Cental 2/25 Salina South 2/27 @Derby *Sports last updated 2/12

26 PHOTO FOCUS

Passionate Parallels Page by Janeth Saenz @janethsaenzz

1.

2.

1.

1. Senior Brayden Worden and junior

Jacob Hanna share an intensity of emotion.

Hanna yells after making a basket. Worden delivers a monologue.

2. Seniors K.J. Hampton and Preston Hunt celebrate a moment of victory. Hampton drains a 3-pointer and Hunt, playing as macduff, kills macbeth.

3. Seniors Preston Hunt, Brayden Worden and sophmore Jaden Gustafson rival against opposition. Hunt and Worden swordfight to the death in macbeth. Gustafson drives for a layup around an opponent Photos by Sam Bartlett & Janeth Saenz

27

PHOTO FOCUS

3.

2.

3.

28 ENTERTAINMENT

Bargain Brands S tudents and Principal Chris Botts go to Goodwill and search for a full outfit, accesories and all. They were challenged to find an outfit with a budget of $15.

Page by Keira McGinty and Lily Robison @keiragmcginty @lily_robison

Photo by Lily Robison

Photo by Keira McGinty

29

ENTERTAINMENT

Photo by Lily Robison

Photo by Keira McGinty

30 ENTERTAINMENT

Contrary Coffee

Reporters with different tastes in coffee switch drinks Disclaimer: I have tried the Java Shake from Cocoa Dolce before, but it had been awhile. When I heard Carter was ordering it for me, I was excited. Upon trying it, however, I found it too sweet for my taste. Ice cream with coffee is normally good, but you have to have the right ratio of both and this was too much of the former. Maybe I’m just not a sugary person, I’m not sure. -PH

I always enjoy Starbucks’ Nitro Cold Brew, but as fate would have it, the machine was broken, so I defaulted to getting Carter an iced Americano. He ordered a Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino for me, which has too many adjectives for a drink. Upon closer notice, the entire thing just looked like too much. It only got worse from there after trying it, as I basically felt like I was drinking sugar water. -PH

2/10

6/10

Preston

Cocoa Dolce

Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino

Starbucks

Cold Brew 0/10

Iced Americano 3/10 The first drink I tasted was from Starbucks. I thought the coffee really tasted like water mixed with dirt. I got the feeling like I was drinking something that wasn’t meant to be consumed, like I was drinking a cleaning product. It was flat-out atrocious. -CJ

Java Shake

Carter

I wasn’t aware that the drink I got from Starbucks could taste worse, but I was mistaken. The next drink from Cocoa Dolce tasted like I was drinking the same drink, but with even more dirt. I was almost certain that I was consuming lake water. The taste of pure espresso in water was almost enough to send me into shock because of how foul it was. 0/10, tasted like poison. -CJ

C

Check out the video.

Find the full video on maizenews.com

It seems most of the time I visit Leslie I’m there for an hour or more. The atmosphere and coffee are fantastic. This time, I ordered just a regular hot latte, which is prepared excellently by Leslie’s trained baristas. Carter ordered a cinnamon latte for me, which I actually enjoyed. It was just the right balance of sweet and coffee, and this was the one drink on which Carter and I found a common ground. -PH

6/10 Cinnamon Roll Latte

Leslie Coffee Co. Regular Latte 2/10 One of the most mediocre drinks I’ve ever tasted is from Leslie Coffee co. A straight-up latte that was straight-up offensive to my taste buds. It boggles my mind that anyone can find this drink delectable. I am in now way, shape or form trying to poo-poo Leslie’s but poo-poo is what the drink tasted like. -CJ

31

Page by Carter Jones and Preston Hunt @ItsCarterJones

ENTERTAINMENT Reverie is by far one of my favorite coffee shops in town, and I was excited for Carter to experience it. I ordered one of their roasted in-house Guatemalan blends for Carter. Carter ordered a Vanilla Steamer for me. I used to say there was no drink at Reverie that I didn’t like, and apparently I was wrong. This drink tasted like melted cool whip, and I could feel it literally coating my throat.

Sorry, Reverie, I love you, but I’ll stick to black coffee from now on. -PH

2/10 Vanilla Steamer

Reverie Roasters Pope’s Choice -6/10 Just when I thought I had tasted the most abominable drink to exist on this earth, the hole got deeper. The drink I was given at Reverie was black coffee and it was probably the worst thing I’ve ever tasted. By far the worst out of the list. I thought drinking a liquid was supposed to leave your mouth refreshed and hydrated, but only to find that when you’re literally drinking this, it leaves your mouth dryer than the Mojave. I definitely don’t recommend it. -CJ