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TABLE OF CONTENTS 05 NEWS
New attendance policy; Maize Lion’s Club works closely with band; national act affects student lunches.
06 NOW PLAYING
Students get involved in election process.
08 EDITORIAL
Students should participate more in politics.
10 PHOTO FOCUS
Theater department performs first show of the year.
13 NEWS
Conservation Club takes charge of school-wide recycling.
14 SPORTS
Lungwitz siblings share a love for sports.
16 LIFESTYLES
Two seniors launch music careers.
19 ENTERTAINMENT
Attempt to match people to what’s in their trunks.
Play newsmagazine staff editor-in-chief ashley golden managing editor jordan watkins photo editor brittany neigenfind ad manager dagny castelli reporters gabby hermes nick mathias aleah milliner justin noble
MATTHEW POGUE
ABOVE Senior Chris Chambers finishes carving his pumpkin during Jay Super’s fourth block botany class Oct. 5. COVER Illustration by BéLe Benard.
photographer matthew pogue photographers & reporters béle benard cheyenne esser hannah henricks devan horning alexis loudermilk maite menendez rachel reko adviser dan loving
RAISE YOUR VOICE BY USING YOUR WORDS Submit a letter to the editor for the December issue to D18 or to mhsnewsmag@gmail.com For the latest updates on scores, news and more, check out Play newsmagazine online at http://myhsj.org/mhsnewsmag or click on the link on the MHS website. 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. Printed by City Print
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NEWS
Procedure changed for late students
DEVAN HORNING
Attendace office secretary Pat Bobetsky monitors junior Logan Yarbrough calling his parent due to being late.
M
By Devan Horning
aize administration has implemented a new attendance policy that ensures parents know when their students are tardy or absent. If a parent has not called in to excuse the student before the student arrives late to school, the student must
immediately go to the attendance office and call his or her parent. Some students disapprove, but the administration started it as a way to reduce the amount of unexcused tardies and absences. “The secretaries have adjusted,” assistant principal Beth Schmidt said. “This is just a procedure to eliminate the number of calls to parents. The students are getting to class a little bit later, but
I think it will improve communication between parents, students and staff.” If a student is 20 minutes or less late to school, it is considered a tardy. More than 20 minutes is an absence. Students will be expected to call their parents in front of the attendance office secretaries. A secretary will then talk to parents. Excused students will receive an excused tardy and go to class. Students whose parents don’t excuse them or don’t answer the call get unexcused tardies or absences. “We get around 15 to 20 students a day,” attendance secretary Pat Bobetsky said. “The students have reacted very annoyed, none act out in a bad way, but it is inconvenient for them.” Assistant principal Julie Cannizzo said the new policy has reduced tardies and absences considerably. Although the administration believes that this policy will improve the school, senior Nicole Adams said it is inconvenient and unfair to parents and students. “It was awkward because I wasn’t expecting it,” Adams said. “I wasn’t aware of it.” The new policy will be re-evaluated within the next week. If found to be effective, the administration will keep it in place. “We are always aiming to improve the system,” Bobetsky said. n
Band students raise close to $5,000
B
By Nick Mathias
and members earned $4,826 while working at the Maize Lions Club fireworks stand in July. This money was divided among individual students who worked the stand. The Maize Lions Club also profited from the fireworks stand, along with the Maize High Band Booster Club. The money earned by band students was awarded Sept. 14 during the football game against Derby. Students who worked the stand received about $200 each to purchase band-related items. “[We are] very appreciative of the Lions Club,” band director Bryan Kirk said. Christina Fischer, president of the
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RACHEL REKO
A $4,826 check was awarded to junior Shelby Goss and seniors Grace Binter and Lucas Popp.
Maize Lions Club, said the club could not have its firework stand without the band’s help. Sophomore Katie Ortstadt worked the stand and already has plans for her
earned portion. “[The money] could help fund instrument rental costs, instrument repair and some of the band trips,” she said. Not only was it a chance to earn money, it was also a chance to get together with her fellow band members. Senior Emily Queen said she worked because it was “a good way to give back to the community.” Participating in the Caring Hearts drive during the holiday season is another way the band helps the Lions Club and give back to the community. The relationship between the band and the Maize Lions Club not only raises money for them but also allows them to contribute time to others. n
Hunger pains
New regulations have changed way students eat lunch By Hannah Henricks
A calorie cap has been put on school lunches this year, limiting the maximum calorie intake to 850 calories.
N
ew lunch restrictions and meal plans have left some students in a fury. “I have stopped eating school lunch because the food isn’t worth the price of it,” sophomore Shayla Jordan said. “Students don’t get a decent quantity of food for the quality of it.” On Dec. 13, 2010, the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act was signed by President Obama. This act has changed the way students will eat lunch at school. This act was promoted by first lady Michelle Obama, who wants to have healthier kids for the future. By doing this, food served in schools has changed to more whole wheat,fewer calories and less sodium and trans fat. More fruits and vegetables have been added to the menu as well. “If you picture your lunch plate, half of the plate needs to be a mix of fruits and vegetables. A fourth of it should be protein and a fourth should be whole grains/dairy,” Via Christi dietician Linda Wartick said. The maximum intake a high school
student can consume at lunch is 850 calories. “The minimum calorie intake a day should be 1,800 and the max should be 3,000; 850 calories should be enough for an average student,” nurse Dana Desjardins said. Even though 850 calories should fulfill the average student’s needs, some athletes are suffering. “For some people 850 calories isn’t enough,” junior Jason Costello, cross country and track runner, said. “Everyone is different, so everyone’s needs are different also.” Athletes burn off the energy they consume at practice, making lunch time critical. “People that do intense workouts need to consume more calories than people that don’t,” Wartick said. Another complaint of students is that portions are too small. “If kids would take all the food being offered then they would be full,” kitchen manager Kim Stuckey said. Jordan describes school lunch as ined-
HANNAH HENRICKS
ible and untasteful compared to last year. A boycott, led by senior Kenzie Mayta, was planned for Oct. 5 to have students bring their own lunches and not buy food from the school. Mayta hoped for enough people to participate so that the kitchen would see a decrease in sales for that day. “There wasn’t a difference in income. The sales were the same as they are every other day,” Stuckey said. Papa John’s pizza day has also been removed from this school year. The pizza wasn’t nutritious enough to be served. If Papa John’s can make a healthy adjustment to the pizza, then bringing back pizza will be considered. “Right now we are just waiting on Papa John’s. They are hoping that by changing the type of crust, will change the calorie amount,” Stuckey said. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids act was created to make students healthier and have a healthy future. “We are trying to change a little at a time not all at once,” Desjardins said. n
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NOW PLAYING Taking part in
DEMOCRACY Students make voices heard in election By Jordan Watkins and Rachel Reko
I
n six days, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will compete in the most important race in America. About 23 million voters under age 24 will help pick the winner. According to Pew Research Center, young voters (ages 18-24) are expected to make up 17 to 18 percent of the vote. That statistic will include some Maize students who will head to the polls to cast a ballot for the first time. One of these students is senior Ali Latimer, who says she will vote for Romney because she disagrees with Obama’s health care policies. Latimer said students should get involved in politics and vote if they can. “It involves your future and you should care,” she said. Senior Cooper Downs agrees. He said he educates himself on candidates and the issues by watching debates and paying attention in government class. “It’s our country,” he said. “We owe it to each other to help choose our leader.” Although senior Cameron Tredway is not old enough to vote, he supports Obama because of his policies and plans for education. He said better education not only helps the individual but also the nation’s economy. “Education and the economy go hand in hand,” he said. “Everything [Obama’s] done so far has helped provide a more affordable college experience.” He said that a higher college attendance rate translates to more people having access to high-paying jobs. Tredway said students who are too young to vote should still get involved and educate themselves on the candidates. “It prepares them for when they can vote and makes them more experienced.” Senior Michaeli Hennessy, who serves as mayor of Wichita’s Mayor’s Youth Council, agrees that student involvement is important. She loves seeing enthusiasm about politics in students. “It’s great to see all the fights that go on over Twitter,” she said. Hennessy said that students being involved
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and forming opinions at a young age will benefit them in the future. “Even what doesn’t affect us now will affect us later on,” she said. “You have to be prepared. If you don’t get involved now, how will you ever?” Special-education para Tori Eck, who is a politicalscience major at Wichita State, said students who are old enough to vote have a civic duty to head to the polls. “It’s your only real way to make your voice heard and implement change in the nation,” she said. “Even if you’re not old enough to vote, you need to get involved.” Although Eck’s political opinions formed from her family and the values she was raised on, she said it’s important that students form their own opinions on political issues. “My parents sat me down when I was 10 years old and told me about the issues,” she said. “I formed my opinions and they haven’t changed.” Eck said that what’s important to students may be different than what’s important to their parents. “We have to make decisions on what’s best for the nation, not just ourselves. It’s very important that people form their own opinions on those issues,” she said. “When we just blindly vote like our parents, we’re not doing that.” Social studies teacher Skeeter Rankins agrees. “There are people who vote because they think they are Republican or Democrat, but they don’t really know what they mean,” he said. “They’re voting on ignorance.” Rankins said it’s important that students learn about the candidates they support. “If you don’t know basic policies of who you’re voting for, that’s a problem,” he said. “Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to voting.” Rankins said students should “get involved and get educated.” He said getting involved gives students a better understanding of their country and will help them be prepared for their future. n
W here
they stand
B arack O bama
$
Economy
Repeal Bush tax cuts for wealthy; stimulus spending and tax cuts for short term economy growth; cut spending and raise taxes on wealthy to reduce debt long term Patient protections from insurance companies; policies require everyone to have health insurance
Heath care
Environment
M itt R omney Make Bush tax cuts for households making more than $250,000 permanent; cut taxes and regulations to encourage business; cut discretionary spending by 5% to reduce national debt Repeal Affordable Care Act; proposes encouraging individuals to purchase their own health insurance rather than via employers; allowing insurance across state lines
Supports cap-and-trade system to reduce carOpposes cap-and-trade legislation; supports bon emissions; delayed decision on northern leg Keystone XL pipeline; $20 billion package for of Keystone XL pipe running oil from Canada energy research and new car technology to the Gulf of Mexico due to environmental issues Supports same-sex marriage; pushed Congress to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, allowing gays to serve openly in the military
Gay rights
Opposes same-sex marriage but supports legal unions; supports Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell but favors openly serving in the military; supported ENDA to ban anti-gay employer discrimination
Supports Roe vs. Wade; criticized Supreme Opposes Roe vs. Wade; believes states should be Court decision that upheld ban on partial-birth allowed to ban abortion abortions
Abortion
Gun control
Foreign policy
Wants to uphold second amendment rights but wants to pass laws that ideally keep guns out of the hands of criminals; pushes for common sense gun safety measures
Does not support adding new laws restricting gun control; supports expanding rights of gun owners (yet fully punishing those who abuse the power)
Iraq Opposed invasion from the beginning; opposed troop increase; ended operations in Iraq Iran Engage in direct diplomacy; military option not off the table; pressures Iran to prove nuclear aspirations are peaceful; doesn’t support sending troops; wants diplomacy
Iraq Says keeping the US in Iraq is the best option for minimizing casualties and maintaining democracy in Iraq Iran Supports sending more troops back to surrounding nations to pressure Iran into giving up its nuclear aspirations
SOURCE: OBAMA FOR AMERICA, ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT, CNN + IMAGE CREDIT: OPEN CLIP ART LIBRARY
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EDITORIAL
The
POWER of Voting
By Maite Menendez for the Play editorial board
V
oting is very important and those who can vote should take advantage of their right. And those not of age still need to pay attention to politics. Voting is a great responsibility for citizens that should be taken seriously. History teacher Skeeter Rankins “absolutely [believes in] exercising responsibility as a citizen, regardless who you are.” We as the people of America should also take into consideration that we are voting for the leader of our country. If we don’t know anything about the candidates and what they will do to change America when we vote, we don’t have the right to complain the outcome of the election. “If you don’t put your part in voting, you can’t complain if someone goes into office you don’t like,” first-time voter Emma Reko, a senior, said. Being eligible is one factor, but being educated is an even bigger factor. Knowing the real stances of the candidates makes a big difference on who we vote for and who deserves to be elected.. Either a Republican or Democrat, we need to listen to both sides of the argument and make a decision based on what they put on the table rather than their political group. Students also need to realize that voting is important for society. As a democracy, we have the right to share thoughts and cast votes how we want individually. We need to take advantage of this and vote wisely. If we don’t vote, we are giving up our voice. “You can’t get the choices and options if you don’t vote,” Rankins said. Present choices may affect the future. Unintended consequences may come from being ignorant, in the way in which we vote. “Depends on who votes, more people voting can change the future good or bad,” Rankins said. It is stated best on the website righttovote.org: “The power of voting is the power of change, it’s the power of making a mark in history and voicing your opinions.” n
VOICE
“If you don’t put your part in voting, you can’t complain if someone goes into office you don’t like.” Emma Reko
VOTE Illustration by BéLe Benard
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The fight for family
T
here’s this boy. He’s the most special man I have in my life. He likes to call himself “the Alpha Dog.” I call him Bwubby. His name is Remington and he is my little brother. Even though we sometimes fight like crazy, he is my best friend. I moved to Maize from Augusta my freshman year. Sadly, he did not follow in my footsteps. Our mother and his dad were separated and had shared custody. His dad lived in Augusta and wanted my brother to stay with him. My mother and I wanted him to come to Maize with us. So like we expected, we went to court. I never expected court to be so brutal. There were tears and heartaches every step of the way. Things were not easy for the longest time. My brother’s dad was very angry about the divorce and did some pretty awful things to my family. We felt like we had a good chance at winning my brother. But when the court date came, the judge believed Remington should stay in Augusta where he grew up and was comfortable. Remington s dad was manipulative on the stand. How could the judge not see that? I was crushed. I had to be taken out of the courtroom because I was crying uncontrollably. I later found out that the
COLUMN By Devan Horning
judge gave Remington’s dad six months to prove he was a suitable full-time father. That gave us some hope, though, because there was no way he was going to suddenly change into a wonderful dad. We did everything we could, and I did my best to do really good in school so we could prove to the judge next time that Maize is a wonderful place for my little brother to be. My mom’s employer helped us get a new attorney. I felt much better about this one. He actually knew what he was doing and made sure that all the important things were going to be pointed out. The six months went by slowly, and when it finally came, the court date got postponed. That meant even longer we had to go without my brother. The court date finally came. This day meant everything. It was March 3, 2012. The hearing began with my mom explaining why she was best suitable, then his dad explained why he was. My brother’s counselor repeatedly told the judge that Remington had told her that he wanted to live with his mom. Hours in to the hearing, the judge wanted to talk to Remington to get his opinion. After a 10-minute recess, the judge
After a lengthy battle in court, reporter Devan Horning’s mother gained full custody of Remington, age ten.
told us that my brother said he wanted to live with us. The judge said that when a child repeatedly says something, they have to mean it. He also said that my relationship with my brother was too important to keep us apart any longer. We got full custody of my brother on June 1. It was one of the best days of my life. Today, my little brother is a fifth grader at Maize South Elementary and plans to attend Maize Middle and Maize High in the future. He is a happy kid here, and I couldn't be happier to be living in Maize with my mom and my little brother. At last, we are all together.n
Memories around the campfire
C
amping has always been a big part of my family’s life. For as long as I can remember, my dad has taken my brothers and me camping twice a year. Those few days each year spent alone at the campsite with the boys are some of the best memories from my childhood. Camping gives us the opportunity to escape from our hectic day-to-day lives and just enjoy each other’s company. The best moments were spent sitting around the campfire with my dad and brothers telling stories and making s’mores. There’s nothing else quite like it. The warmth of the bonfire, the smell of the smoke and the sounds from the lake make it the most peaceful place on Earth. Kayaking in the river, climbing on the rock formations and hiking through the forest were just a few of the many things we found to do. The adventures we encountered over the years are end-
By Dagny Castelli
Camping brings reporter Dagny Castelli’s family closer together.
less. Each day was filled with many new adventures. My dad taught us at a very young age how to pitch a tent, start our own fire and shoot a gun. My dad put so much effort into making those trips the best in the world. We explored together, played together and made countless memories in our camping trips. We had a blast doing things so differently than we would at home. We cooked each meal over the fire and slept on the hard ground each night. We walked at least a mile to get to the near-
est outhouse and shower. We survived off of little. All we needed was each other to have a great time. I’ll always remember the little things, like our “going off the trail song” we used to sing as we strayed off the hiking trail and into the unknown. There were many hours spent after dark playing Ghost in the Graveyard, which is our version of hide-and-go-seek in the dark woods. We’d also spend time each night after dinner around the campfire to play a game of charades. Those days and nights were filled with laughter and adventure, moments that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Camping each year was a bonding experience between my dad, my brothers and me. Over the past couple of years, our busy lives seem to have gotten in the way of our family tradition. But we will go again, and I can’t wait until next time. I want to do these trips with my dad and brothers for the rest of my life.n
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PHOTO FOCUS
The DIVINERS
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unior Trevor Farney stole the stage in the three performances of “The Diviners” Oct. 4-6. He played Buddy Layman, who possessed the special talent of being a diviner, someone who can locate water below ground with his senses. However, Buddy is countered with his intense fear of water due to the drowning accident that killed his mother. Newcomer CC Showers, played by junior Daniel Reep, is able to convince Buddy that water is safe. But in the final scene, CC gets distracted while bathing Buddy in the town lake and lets him go, causing Buddy to drown.n Photos by Cheyenne Esser 1.) Buddy Layman (Trevor Farney) gets his feet washed in the end of scene one by CC Showers (Daniel Reep) and Jennie Mae Layman (senior Abby Killman). “He [Buddy] is extremely terrified of water and they don’t want the right worm to spread,” Farney said.
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1.
2.
5.
3.
6.
4.
2.) Jenny Mae Layman (Killman) helps her brother Buddy Layman (Farney) tie his shoes in the first act. 3.) Buddy Layman (Farney) tries to fight his father Ferris Layman ( junior Ethan Gledhill) when CC Showers (Reep) tries telling Buddy he needs to bathe in scene one. 4.) Buddy Layman (Farney) drinks his root beer at Goldie Short’s ( junior Lauren Debes) diner in scene one. “The only thing I would drink that wasn’t water was rootbeer,” Farney said. 5.) Darlene Henshaw ( junior Jessica Curtiss) gets asked to go to a dance by Dewey Maples ( junior Jacob Bothell) in scene one of The Diviners. (Including character Melvin Wilder played by sophomore Nick Wynn). 6.) Ferris Layman (Gledhill) works on Basil Bennett’s ( junior Reed Bowles) bicycle towards the end of scene one.
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MaizeHighAd.indd 1
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3804 W. Maple Suite 200 Wichita, Kansas 67213 316-942-6886 10/8/2012 3:46:56 PM
NEWS
PHOTOS BY CHEYENNE ESSER
Sophomores Abbey Evans and Danielle Gerety collect and dump recycled materials Oct. 12 during En-Cor.
Conservation Club starts small to save planet
C
By Alexis Loudermilk
onservation Club strives to make Maize and the surrounding environment a better place by involving themselves in community service activities. Every Friday, the club picks up recycled materials from classrooms. In addition, a few students attend to the large cans in the cafeteria where the lunch staff deposits bottles, metal containers and other recyclable materials. Sophomore Abbey Evans, the club’s vice president, got involved in Conservation Club through her friend last year. “I originally thought Conservation Club was just some weird club, but once I [joined], it was actually really fun, so I
kept going from there.” Every day after school, Evans dumps out the lunch recycle bin either by herself or with a friend. She uses recyclable, plastic gloves to separate the food that often gets mixed in with the recyclable materials. “This year we have gloves we wash and don’t just throw away. Go green,” she said. “We don’t throw away all that latex. Go us! I’m very tree huggerish. I can’t stand when someone throws something away that could be recycled, and I don’t like letting people use Styrofoam.” Evans is happy with the level of participation but wants students to become more aware of which materials can be
recycled. She suggested recycling plastics and cans and strongly recommended washing the recycled materials before placing them in the recycling bins. Conservation Club’s ultimate goal this year is to reach 15 tons of recycled materials. If members reach the goal, they are awarded with money from the International Paper Co. The money goes toward new supplies and a trip to the zoo or a party to celebrate their hard work. “If we all want to be on this Earth much longer, it’s helpful to do a little bit more than what you can each day,” Evans said. “That way we can actually live in a clean Earth where we don’t have to wear masks everywhere we go.” n
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SPORTS
The
Lungwitz Legacy
Siblings excel in sports like their dad did when he attended Maize By Justin Noble and Aleah Milliner
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ungwitz. Three people at Maize have this last name. One is senior Paige Lungwitz, a top female athlete at Maize. She’s a standout player on the tennis and basketball teams. Another is Connor Lungwitz. Only a sophomore, he’s already making a name for himself as the starting quarterback on the football team. He also plays baseball and basketball. If Paige or Connor are not familiar, then their dad probably is. Craig Lungwitz is a physical education teacher and an assistant coach for baseball and boys basketball. With their dad as a coach, Paige and Connor have developed a strong bond as a family in sports. They are just like any other siblings, where arguing is normal. But when it comes to
1986 MAIZE YEARBOOK
MATTHEW POGUE
Star athletes Paige and Connor Lungwitz participate in several sports at Maize.
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Craig Lungwitz takes a shot when he played for Maize in 1986. Craig was the tallest player on the team.
MATTHEW POGUE
KAYLA DUARTE
Connor Lungwitz drops back for a pass as running back Chase White blocks in a game against Campus.
Paige Lungwitz plays tennis at Maize and also stars on the basketball team.
sports, they are each other’s biggest supporters. They attend each other’s events and enjoy going to the same school where they share experiences and friends. Last year, Connor showed his support of Paige by attending one of her basketball games with his chest painted with her number. Standing 6-foot-3, Connor is a talented athlete in three sports. He was already involved in basketball and baseball by the age of 5 and started playing football in third grade. “My parents signed me up to play basketball and baseball, and I begged them to play football,” Connor said. Connor loves the competitive nature of the sports he is involved with and also loves making friends while playing. “We’re friends, good buddies,” junior running back Chase White said. “He works hard, he has goals, and he is a great quarterback.” White says that although Connor is only a sophomore, he is not afraid to take control of the team. This drive has shown in the Eagles’ record this season as they are 5-3 and will have a winning record for the first time since 2006. Connor is very dedicated to his sports. He practices football not only during the fall season but also during the summer. He focuses on basketball during the winter and practices his baseball during the winter and spring. “He brings leadership, work ethic and coachability,” baseball coach Rocky Helm said. “If you have those things, you can do a lot of things.” Because of her dad’s experience with sports, Paige picked up basketball at the age of 4 and fell in love with it. Both of her parents played tennis in school, so Paige decided she would too and began in sixth grade. This year was her last season of tennis, and she played well. She and doubles partner Jessi Holman made it to state
and ended their season with a record of 28-11.The two have been partners all four years of high school. Jessi is grateful to have played with Paige for the past four years. “She’s made me a stronger player” Holman said. “I’m a lot tougher because of the way she has pushed me.” Paige is now looking forward to the upcoming basketball season. She has been practicing shooting and ball handling, as well as working out five to six times a week. Jarrod Handy, who has coached Paige since her freshman year, recognizes her talent. “Paige is an awesome player. She is truly committed, one of the most committed players I have ever coached,” Handy said. Paige’s success, she feels, results from the effort she puts into her sports. “I think all your hard work and effort pays off in the end,” she said. Paige loves to play the sports she does because of the teammates that have turned into friends over the years. Her biggest inspiration is her dad. “Ever since I was little, he has pushed me to be the best I can be.” Craig attended Maize and played basketball, football and tennis. He went on to play basketball in college. Following in her father’s footsteps, Paige will play college basketball. She has signed a letter of intent to play at Pittsburg State University on a full scholarship. “I’m looking forward to playing at the next level,” she said. Connor is not sure how far he will go with his sports, but he hopes to play football or baseball in college. Craig speaks fondly of his kids. “I’m just proud because they keep their grades up and work hard on and off the field. They tend to give their best on everything,” he said. n Sports run deep in the Lungwitz family history. Paige and Connor have both played sports since they were very young.
MATTHEW POGUE
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LIFESTYLES
iving lyrically
By Cheyenne Esser and BéLe Benard
M
any people in high school do not know what they plan on doing later in life, but for two talented seniors, their future is very clear. Falecia Wiedenkeller and Jillian Ambrose have followed their passion for music and have begun their journeys to becoming aspiring artists. Wiedenkeller plans on releasing her first album, “Irony and Happiness” in March. This inspiring young artist has worked numerous months on writing and preparing songs for her album. The stressful work of it all has given her no doubts, however. “Money is the most stressful thing, but every time I go into the studio I’m like ‘this is it, this is what I’m supposed to be doing,” Wiedenkeller said. Her inspiration comes from Matt Karney, Jimmy Eat World, Paramore and the Almost. “Matt Karney is a lyrical genius who tells stories through his music, and [the others] are great people and great musicians.” Wiedenkeller has been playing guitar for four years and piano for Falecia Wiedenkeller gets her musical inspiration from Matt Karney, Jimmy Eat World, Paramore and the Almost.
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Photo by Cheyenne Esser
“It’s scary because you are always going to have people putting you down for doing something different than everyone else.” Jillian Ambrose two years. She also spends time reading books, which she says helps her lyrically. In her downtime, she likes to play with her cats, hang out with friends and listen to music in the shower. “I spend hours in there, and my sister hates it,” she said. Instead of following the typical path of college after high school, Wiedenkeller plans to take a different approach. In Oct. 2014, she’s going to embark on a journey to Nashville, Tenn., where she hopes to be discovered. She doesn’t plan on auditioning for a talent competition show like “American Idol” or “X Factor.” “I want to be looked at for my music, not as an idol,” she said. Wiedenkeller has performed once at Mead’s Corner and performs regularly at Ministry NEAH “Not Even A Hint.” “My favorite part is talking to the people who listened,” Wiedenkeller said of performing at NEAH. Wiedenkeller doesn’t feel that choosing a music career is a mistake. “I live for God, and I feel that [if it wasn’t the right path], He would have showed me otherwise.” Working in the studio with Paul Fowler, her voice coach, has helped create her alternative music album and helped her get a little bit closer to grasping her dreams. “I want to make CDs and live on a tour bus,” she said. “I want people to know my music, and let it help them, I want them to relate.” Wiedenkeller has the drive to keep going on the road to living her dream, just as Ambrose does. On Oct. 1, Ambrose’s first album, “Ever Changing Heart” released on iTunes. Her first album has nine songs, seven of them being original songs of her own. “[I had] 12 original songs, but I had to narrow it down,” she said. Ambrose considers herself an alternative vocalist. Her family supports her career and dreams, purchasing her first guitar for
COURTESY OF JILLIANMARIEAMBROSE.COM
Jillian Ambrose released her first album on iTunes on Oct. 1. There are nine songs on the album, including seven original songs she wrote.
her last year. “They always set aside time for me and are understanding,” she said. Inspiration plays a huge role in all of Ambrose’s songs. She says she gets inspiration from anything in life, such as relationships and friendships. For the past three years, Ambrose has sung on a cruise ship for Barbizon Modeling and Acting School, most recently traveling to Mexico. “It was a lot of work, it was worth it, I got to do what I love,” Ambrose said. Stress lingers in the air for this artist as
she thinks about her future. After high school, Ambrose plans to move to Los Angeles. She said there are more opportunities there for her. “It’s scary because you are always going to have people putting you down for doing something different than everyone else,” she said. Ambrose dreams of becoming a professional singer and songwriter and is already paving her road to success. Wiedenkeller and Ambrose may have different life goals, but they are still working towards the same dream.n
“Money is the most stressful thing, but every time I go into the studio I’m like ‘this is it, this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” Falecia Wiedenkeller octoberplay17
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18playoctober
ENTERTAINMENT
What’s in your trunk? By Gabby Hermes
A. This trunk has acquired school books, clothes and Beats headphones.
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2.
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C. This owner has not cleaned her car since before Homecoming and has one pom-pom, old lip gloss, oil and a funnel in the trunk. D. This owner has obtained a collection of clothing along with a car seat in the trunk. E. Containing a Mother’s Day card, golf clubs, Halloween decor and a car seat, this owner uses the trunk for storage while moving. F. This owner has not emptied his trunk since Homecoming, leaving toilet paper, shoes, clothes, Windex and trash to fill the trunk.
Senior Amy Brown
Junior Kory Haught
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5.
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Principal Chris Botts
Junior Emily Gaston
Senior Kylee Mellinger
PHOTOS BY BRITTANY NEIGENFIND AND MATTHEW POGUE
B. This trunk consists of books, a purse, a backpack, clothes, and CDs.
Try to match each person with their trunk contents
Junior Tyler Stratton
A.
B.
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D.
E.
F.
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1. C 2. A 3. D 4. E 5. B 6. F