Senior issue

y a l P Welcome to the Thecircus senior issue

Maize High School. 11600 W. 45. St. N. Maize, KS. 67101

May2015

r

Welcome to the circus read.watch.play.

Special edition: the senior issue

2015 GRADUATION. CHARLES KOCH ARENA. 5:30 P.M. MAY 17. 334 SENIORS. CLASS QUOTE “If one advances PROGRAM confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” -Henry David Thoreau GRADUATION SONG “For Good” by Stephen Schwartz

WELCOME Superintendent Doug Powers and Dr. Chris Botts, principal DISTRIBUTING DIPLOMAS Board of Education SENIOR ADDRESS Cheyenne Esser and Mia Taylor PRESENTING SENIOR KEY Dylan Jones to Vani Balram

The senior issue comprises responses to Play’s senior survey; 169 seniors responded to the survey.

GRADYAWARDS Best Hair Riley Jay Best Eyes Alex Lee Best Leader Mia Taylor Best Smile Paige Swanson Funniest Person Zoe Wedman Most Artistic Chloe Cloud Most Friendly Kara Kolar Most Likely to Attend Hogwarts Rachel Brand Most Likely to Be a Kid Forever Chris Jones Most Likely to Star in a Reality TV Show Dylan Jones Most Likely to Be on the Bachelor Gabe Chavez Most Likely to Be President of the U.S. Akim Richards Most Likely to Be a High School Teacher Shelby Carpenter Biggest Flirt Kassidy Watkins

*Decided by seniors and presented at Senior Night

Most Likely to Go to the Olympics Chris Clemons Most Likely to Cure Cancer Taylor Axtell Most Likely to Be on The Voice Sarah Slack Cutest Couple Madi Sites and Austin Taylor Best Female Athlete Keiryn Swenson Best Male Athlete Connor Lungwitz Best Style Nicole Grimes Worst Case of Senioritis Arynn Dalal Most Likely to Write a Best-Selling Novel Cheyenne Esser Most Likely to Be on Saturday Night Live Nick Wynn Most Likely to Be on Broadway Matthew Prater Most Likely to Win a Nobel Prize Sam Bayliff Most Dramatic Peyton Quandt

Play newsmagazine *Denotes 2015 senior

Play newsmagazine editor Hannah Henricks* Maizenews.com editor Cheyenne Esser* Visuals editor Brooke Johanson* News editor Nick Mathias Features & lifestyles editor Katie McLachlan* Sports editor Justin Noble Advertisements manager Maite Menendez* Engagement/assistant news editor Kendra Cunningham Assistant sports editor Delanie Pierce Assistant advertisement manager Mikaela Stevenson Reporters & photographers James Auchterlonie Kalee Betzen* Hallie Bontrager Shelby Carpenter* Jesse Ellis Emily Graves* Savie Hughes Hannah Jurgensen Tori Lemon Nadia McLean Lyndsey Piska Miranda White* Shae White Adviser Dan Loving SeniorIssuePlay3

Main

attraction Seniors give advice to underclassmen on what not to miss Reid Abbott Everything, go to the games, dances, concerts or whatever. You have four years of “childhood” left, enjoy it. Caitlin Allan Join groups like band, choir and orchestra. Ashley Arnold You can learn a lot about yourself as a person in high school, so my advice is to not be afraid to let go of old friends and embrace new ones. Just by graduating at semester, I only talk to maybe two people I actually went to high school with. Saige Baalman Prom and homecoming activities. Sam Bayliff Band, Scholar’s Bowl and AP physics/chemistry especially with calculus during/before. Kalee Betzen Support your friends and go to all of the games. Don’t be afraid to participate, dress up for homecoming, go to dances and live it up. Danielle Bever Don’t miss prom and after prom. Rachel Brand Clubs, games, prom, theatre and choir. Bailey Brown Underclassmen should not miss out on the opportunity to try out all of the different clubs and activities that are made available at the beginning of each year. Shania Burkhead Don’t miss out on being part of a school play. Auditioning is fun and being a part of the production is even more fun. Shelby Carpenter Don’t miss out on anything. Maybe attending the band concert sounds boring, or you don’t really want to go to the soccer game. Maybe you don’t want to give up your En-Cor for club meetings or going to the school dance is lame. Whatever the reason may be, you will never know if something is worth doing if you never give it a try. Expand your horizons, go outside your comfort zone and try new things. These short four years may feel like they drag on, but soon you’ll blink and it will all be over with. Don’t miss out on anything. Gabe Chavez Playing sports and doing extracurricular activities. Christopher Clemons Football games. Tailgating, road trips to the games and being at the games were the best part of high school. Brett Combs Play sports, do whatever you want while you can. Kayla Crockett Going to the games for AU sports. Attending the choir shows and not being afraid to do what you want to do. Morgan Davis Take as many hard, honor and AP classes. It will pay off. Tyler Downs My advice would be to go to every extracurricular event because they only happen during high school and you’ll make memories. Amelia Doyle Going to games, they are really fun and a great way to show your support. Hannah Edwards They should go to extracurricular activities and sports games. Alexa Eisenbart Being involved in a lot of clubs. Being involved in a sport. Cheyenne Esser All experiences. Don’t hold yourself back from the best time of your life. So go to the dances, go to the games and go to the performances. They might just blow you away. Abbey Evans Extracurriculars, never miss a chance to be involved in your school, whether it may be drama, art, sports, bands, clubs etc. You never know what you may come to love. Grant Evans Go to the school activities or games. Jared Farber Memories with friends. Though people are not in out lives forever we should cherish the memories we have had with them. Megan Fischer Get involved in something.

Whether it be sports, choir, or art, find your niche and go with it. Eric Flett No blocks. If you can do it, not having a 1st or 4th block so you can either sleep in or leave early is the best thing ever. Susan Forgie Go to prom. End of story. Nicolle Franco Going to games, band and trying to make everyday count. Dani Gerety Underclassmen should not miss out on getting involved in clubs and extracurricular activities. Were it not for Conservation Club, high school would have been a lot more boring; furthermore, it’s important to start volunteering early. The more you can get involved, the better you’ll feel and the better you’ll be prepared for college. Warren Goode Hanging out with friends as much as possible because you never know where you’ll be going to college and if any of them will be close. Emily Graves Choir and drama. Get involved in the arts in general. Pick up an instrument or a paint brush. Do something to get outside your comfort zone and make new friends.

Meghan Grimes Going to school sporting events and participating in the student section. Prom, of course. Daley Handy Underclassmen shouldn’t miss out on the school clubs and the school dances. They should really try to get involved as much as possible and just make every second of high school count because they are going to wake up one day and realize that they didn’t take advantage of all the opportunities Maize has to offer. Clayton Hicks Going to choir concerts, homecoming, sporting events and activities. Adrianna Hodges See an event that they normally wouldn’t; like a band concert, an orchestra concert, a choir concert, a baseball game, a bowling tournament, debate, a scholars bowl tournament. Mindy Huyn Plan a senior trip with family or friends. Sandra Jacobs Field trips at the zoo. Friendship club meetings are the best and school dances are always fun. Riley Jay I think underclassmen 4PlaySeniorIssue

should try everything, especially clubs. If you don’t like it, you quit. If you love it, well then stay. You’ll always make fun memories because you’ll have the opportunity for new experiences with your friends that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Get involved. Brooke Johanson Underclassmen should definitely go to the after school activities like prom, football games and concerts just to name a few. It gives you an opportunity to get closer to people at your school and it’s a lot of fun. Dylan Jones Every underclassmen should do everything possible to be as most actively involved in the school as possible. High school is an experience that is different for everyone, and the people that make the most out of it are the people who are really engaged in what is going on around campus. Makenna Jones Going to all the sporting events. Cheering on your school is the best part of high school. Kara Kolar I don’t think anybody should leave high school without seeing a performance by the music and drama departments. We have so much talent with fine arts at Maize. I transferred from Maize South to Maize High my sophomore year to join choir and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve been extremely involved with choir and drama ever since I came here, and it has made my high school experience truly unforgettable.

The shows we put on are phenomenal and I plan to come back from college to continue supporting these departments at Maize. Courtney Lang Spending time with your friends and don’t block out the world too much. Sarah Larkin Not just supporting choir, not just sports or plays, support everyone. Go to the games and shows. Tony Lee Friendship club, SADD, school dances, participation in sports, attend sporting events. David Leung Go to the games, choir shows and band/orchestra concerts. Jacob Luethje Take full advantage of the opportunities you have because not everyone has them. Connor Lungwitz Get involved and go to athletic events. Don’t miss the maize vs. sister school game. Cooper Manuel Taking Mr. Frye’s English class.

Brenton Mauldin Do at least one extracurricular activity at school because it makes high school at least a little bit more enjoyable. Katie McLachlan The student section. Not just during football season but all sporting events. Being able to be with all your peers and supporting your school is one of the most memorable things you can do in high school. Maite Menendez Don’t be afraid to branch out to other people because you never know how those people might impact who you are in the future. Crosbie Moody Underclassmen shouldn’t miss out on sporting events and choir/drama performances. Also, Mr. Frye’s English class.

Sarah Nash I do not think that underclassmen should miss out on creative classes. It doesn’t matter if you are creative or not, it’s fun. Katie Ortstadt Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Take a variety of classes, including honors and AP, but also explore other interests. Maize offers so many unique options, from band to programming. Try something new. Grant Pfeifer Do everything you can do senior year; fly guys, jersey auctions, dubs, sports etc. Amanda Rippel They shouldn’t miss out on joining all the clubs offered at Maize because it’s fun to be involved, you get a lot of t-shirts and you get to be in all of the yearbook photos. Grant Risinger Don’t want until senior year to try forensics. It’s very rewarding early on. Kristin Russell Participating in an assortment of different after school activities including sports events, drama production, choir and clubs. Regardless of if you’re in them or attending them.

Naussica Shinkle Sporting events, participating in homecoming week and joining as many clubs as they can. Madi Sites Don’t miss out on choir. Our choir is filled with loads of talent and we all support each other 100%. We are a huge family. I would have viewed my years of high school very differently if I didn’t get to do what I love with many of my best friends right by my side. Sarah Slack Getting to know lots of different people. Don’t just stick to the same group of friends. Branch out and have a lot of fun. Also enjoy the activities you’re involved in. Don’t get so crazy in your scheduling that you forget the original reason you wanted to do something in the first place. Keiryn Swenson School activities like football games, dances, homecoming weeks, prom, pep assemblies and extracurriculars. Deidra Walker Underclassmen should get involved in clubs or some type of extracurricular activities. If they don’t I think they will miss out on a lot of experiences they could be having. Nicole Walker The World Market. The proceeds go to a great cause and there are tons of cool things and food to buy. Zoe Wedman Attend as many sporting events as you can. Be involved in as many clubs or sports teams as you can. Make lots of friends and make a lot of memories. High school is really short so you have to take everyday like its your last and just have fun. You should have a lot of fun and try not to miss out on anything.

SeniorIssuePlay5

The BI

6PlaySeniorIssue

Allen Max Berg

Benedictine Saige Baalman

Arkansas Keiryn Swenson

Central Missouri Tyler Downs

Butler Kayla Crockett Jared Farber Warren Goode Emily Graves Liz Henry Cooper Manuel Braden McCall Kendal McGuire Micala Milliner Crosbie Moody Riley Nevins Aspen Norris Duncan Pepper Grant Pfeifer Samantha Price Grant Risinger Naussica Shinkle Madi Sites Jared Smith Ashlyn Steuber Cera Urban Brandon VanEchaute Nicole Walker Elijah West

Chisholm Keely Kerns Cameron Paterson

Hannah Henricks Brooke Johanson Kara Kolar Mariah Rey Fort Hays State Matthias Gildemeister

Colorado State Aaren Morrell

Friends Alex Lee Dalton Rupp

Cowley Amelia Doyle

Haskell Dustin Kanae

DePaul Arynn Dalal Dodge City Matthew LeBegue

Hutchinson Alexa Eisenbart Grant Evans Austin Morrow Morgan Pfeifer

Drury Rachel Brand

Iowa Alex Johnson

Emporia State Caitlin Allan Cole Bosley Morgan Davis Megan Fischer Chad Gloudeman Kelsey Graber

Independence Sarah Larkin Kansas Reid Abbott Taylor Axtell Dani Gerety

Ellie Hardesty Dylan Jones Peyton Quandt Taylor Ramirez Loren Syakhasone Zoe Wedman Kansas State Bailey Brown Chance Carpenter Shelby Carpenter Eric Flett Makenna Jones Riley Patton Amanda Rippel Kristin Russell Abby Schweikert Haley Smalley Mia Taylor Corey Wilson Lubbock Christian Coleton Parks Pratt Justin Navrat Michigan State Kyley Peirce Military Kylee Boyd

IG top Abbey Evans Ty Fitzmier Maite Menendez Ashley Owen Jake Tatge Scott Wells Tyler Westphal Missouri State Ashley Arnold

Oklahoma State Kalee Betzen Reed Wheeler Ozark Christian Ryan Baker Stanford Akim Richards

Missouri Western Katie McLachlan

Tabor Si Luc Miranda White

MindFire Academy Austin Engler

Texas A&M Matt Taylor

Montclair State Cheyenne Esser

Texas-Arlington Riley Jay

Newman Hannah Edwards Susan Forgie

Texas Christian Katie Ortstadt

Northwestern Oklahoma Brittani Casement Oklahoma Sam Bayliff

Truman State Brett Combs Washburn Danielle Bever Paige Swanson WATC Carlos Garcia

Bethany Yoder Wichita State Shania Burkhead Kevin Crouse Nicolle Franco Meghan Grimes Clayton Hicks Adrianna Hodges Kelsey Howell Mindy Huynh Ramsey Jamaleddine Sammir Jibril Johnathan Karstensen Ash Kamran Courtney Lang David Leung Jacob Luethje Connor Lungwitz Brenton Mauldin Jordan Nichols Devin Roberts Lauren Stallard Deidra Walker Lyndi Walker Tasha Wentling William Jewell Gabe Chavez Wyoming Daley Handy

SeniorIssuePlay7

SCHOLARSHIPS

as submitted by seniors

Reid Abbott SELF fellows scholarship at Kansas. Caitlin Allan $2,200 scholarship to Emporia. Ashley Arnold I accepted their Midwest Student Exchange Scholarship. Taylor Axtell KU’s traditions scholarship. Saige Baalman Academic and athletic for Benedictine. Devon Baker Wrestling scholarship. Ryan Baker Righardson Deans’ Scholarship. Samuel Bayliff NMF Scholarship at OU. Max Berg Cross country and track scholarship.

Kalee Betzen Presidential and Merit scholarships. Danielle Bever I have accepted an academic scholarship from Washburn University. Cole Bosley Running scholarship and academics scholarship. Rachel Brand Trustee Scholarship and Singing Activity Grant. Bailey Brown Leadership scholarship from Kansas State University. Shania Burkhead A $4000 merit scholarship from Wichita State. Shelby Carpenter Leadership scholarship from Kansas State, Janice Blankenship Memorial Scholarship.

Brittani Casement Golf scholarship, academic scholarship. Gabe Chavez Athletic scholarship, academic scholarship. Brett Combs Trumen Merit Scholarship. Kayla Crockett Full-ride vocal scholarship and Presidential Academic scholarship. Kevin Crouse Fine Arts scholarship. Arynn Dalal Vincent St Depaul scholarship worth $48,000. Morgan Davis Emporia State Academic Scholarship. Tyler Downs Volleyball scholarship, Black and Red scholarship. Amelia Doyle A Mass Communications scholarship for Cowley. Hannah Edwards An academic scholarship. Alexa Eisenbart Softball scholarship at Hutch. Cheyenne Esser $16,000 Merit Scholarship; $5,775 pell grant. Eric Flett Kansas State Patnom Scholarship for $36,000, Wichita Manufacturing Association scholarship for $1,000. Susan Forgie Lindenwood University that would pay for two years.

Carlos Garcia $1,000 scholarship from signing day at WATC. Matthia Gildemeister Computer Science scholarship. Chad Gloudeman Academic scholarship at Emporia. Kelsey Graber Track and academic scholarships. Emily Graves Full ride to Butler on a vocal music scholarship. Meghan Grimes Wallace Invitational for Scholarships in Engineering, Merit and Honors scholarships from Wichita State. Daley Handy Basketball scholarship. Ellie Hardesty Traditions scholarship from Kansas. Hannah Henricks Academic scholarship renewable $1600/yr. Liz Henry ACT score scholarship. Clayton Hicks The Jabara Scholarship for entrepreneurship. Adrianna Hodges Wichita State Heritage Merit scholarship.

Riley Jay The UTA Presidents Charter scholarship for academics. Brooke Johanson Academic scholarship $2,700/year. Alex Johnson James P. Robertson scholarship, Topeka Youth Talent scholarship, at IU, Old Gold, National Scholars, Himie Voxman.

Dylan Jones Pell Advantage, KU Traditions scholarship, Kansas State scholarship. Ash Kamran Kansas state scholarship. Dustin Kanae Football scholarship to Haskell. Kara Kolar Hornet Presidential scholarship.

Courtney Lang The Merit scholaship worth $10,000 at Wichita State.

Sarah Larkin Vocal music scholarship.

Matthew LeBegue Basketball scholarship. Alex Lee Football, academic and art scholarship. Si Luc Academic and Track/Cross Country. Connor Lungwitz Baseball and Academic scholarship. Cooper Manuel A scholarship at Butler for music. Kendal McGuire Academic scholarship to Butler. Katie McLachlan Neighboring State scholarship. Crosbie Moody Full—tuition vocal music scholarship.

Aaren Morrell Provost Scholarship.

Justin Navrat Books and tuition.

Jordan Nichols Freshman Merit

scholarship. Aspen Norris Cheerleading scholarship. Katie Ortstadt Full-tuition scholarship to TCU. Coleton Parks Honors scholarship, SAT/ACT score scholarship. Kyley Peirce Out-of-state tuition waived by MSU. Morgan Pfeifer Presidential Leadership scholarship. Nazih Raychouni A scholarship from Lebanon to the USA. Mariah Rey Emporia Foundation scholarship.

Akim Richards National Achievement scholarship. Amanda Rippel Activities scholarship. Grant Risinger Vocal music scholarship. Dalton Rupp Presidential scholarship $10,000 per year, Football scholarship $6,000 a year. Madi Sites Full- ride Vocal Music scholarship to Butler. Sarah Slack Academic and vocal music scholarships. Haley Smalley Foundations Plus to Kansas State, $14,500. Jared Smith Band, books and tuition.

Lauren Stallard $2,000 per semester from the Wichita State Honors scholarship. Keiryn Swenson Full- ride for basketball and track. Jake Tatge I get college paid for with G.I Bill.

Matt Taylor Academic scholarship.

Mia Taylor All scholarships from Kansas State: Edgerly-Franklin Urban Leadership scholarship and Developing Scholars program, Leadership scholarship and Housing Leadership scholarship. Deidra Walker Running scholarship from Wichita State, scholarship from GoRun for 2014 female runner of the year. Lyndi Walker Academic Scholarship for $8,000.

Nicole Walker Books and tuition, Presidential scholarship from Butler.

Tasha Wentling Wichita State Merit scholarship.

Elijah West Football scholarships.

Reed Wheeler Federal Army ROTC scholarship. Miranda White Basketball and Track at Tabor. Corey Wilson Scholarships from Kansas State.

box office

8PlaySeniorIssue

Sam Bayliff

Madi Sites

Mariah Rey

You have done so much to make us proud...but what we are most proud of is the man of integrity and compassion that you have become.

We’ve watched Madison blossom into a confident and amazing young woman. We are proud of our sweet daughter!

LOVE YOU!

So very proud of you.

Congratulations. You are such a blessing to our family.

We love you.

Don, Samantha, Austin

Zoe Wedman So many memories have been made! So many more to make! We are so proud of you!

We love you!

Lyndi Walker

Amanda Rippel

Nicole Walker

Look up, live free dream big, and see that The world is yours.

Love you Lyndigirl...so very proud.

We are so proud of you Amanda! You have grown into an incredible, beautiful and caring young woman. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish at Kansas State in the next few years! We love you very much! xoxo, Mom and Dad

You never know how high you can soar until you spread your wings.

Love Mom, Ali, Nura and Aya

Brooke Johanson Brooke, be proud of every step you take towards reaching your goals. We love you!

Mom and Dad

Connor Lungwitz Congrats Connor! We’re very proud of you.

Thanks for all the great memories.

Mom, Dad, and Paige

Shelby Carpenter We are so proud of you and all you have acomplished! You have a bright future ahead of you.

Love Mom, Dad and Ashley

Katie McLachlan Off you go! You’re on your way up to shine in the world.

Congradulations Katie Bug! We love you!

Mom, Dad and Keegan

Senior Signings BASEBALL Connor Lungwitz— Wichita State University BASKETBALL Keiryn Swenson— University of Arkansas Daley Handy— University of Wyoming Miranda White— Tabor College Matt LeBuege— Dodge City Cortlin Standifer— Pratt Community College Logan Miller— College of the Ozarks Saige Baalman— Benedictine CROSS COUNTRY Deidra Walker— Wichita State University Kassidy Watkins— Florida Southern College Si Luc— Tabor College Cole Bosley— Emporia State University Kate Utech— Colorado Mesa

FOOTBALL Elijah West— Butler Community College Gabe Chavez— William Jewell College Dalton Rupp— Friends University Alex Lee— Friends University Dustin Kanae— Haskell Indian Nations Jordan Guerrero— Kansas Wesleyan GOLF Brittani Casement— Northwestern Oklahoma Kale Reynolds— University of Kansas SOCCER Addison Kingery— Missouri Southern State Kelsey Quick— University of Central Arkansas Aspen Loe— Butler Community College Paige Swanson— Washburn University

TRACK Deidra Walker— Wichita State University Kassidy Watkins— Florida Southern College Keiryn Swenson— University of Arkansas Si Luc— Tabor College Miranda White— Tabor College Riley Nevins— Butler Community College Cole Bosley— Emporia State University Maddie Orton— Emporia State University Kelsey Graber— Emporia State University Kate Utech— Colorado Mesa VOLLEYBALL Meghan Grimes— Wichita State University Tyler Downs— Central Missouri University WRESTLING Devon Baker— Barton Community College

SeniorIssuePlay9

balanc i ng Reid Abbott Hopefully out of Wichita. I want to be in a position to where I can start my own business and be very successful. Caitlin Allan Hopefully out of Kansas. Ashley Arnold I have absolutely no idea. I’ve recently been thinking about studying neurology and how the brain works because I have epilepsy and hope I can help kids and teenagers who struggle with it. You don’t realize how big of a physical and emotional toll it takes on you unless you experience it. Taylor Axtell Hopefully finishing up med or graduate school somewhere other than Kansas, with a husky. Saige Baalman On vacation in Padre. Devon Baker With a good job. Ryan Baker Probably not here. Caleb Barnes Hanging out with dad. Samuel Bayliff Somewhere doing grad or doctors work for physics and chemistry. Max Berg Not in Kansas hopefully.

Kalee Betzen Married with two kids with my own Prince Charming. Danielle Bever In 10 years I’ll be living in a cozy cottage in the mountains with my husband, teaching kindergarteners on the weekdays and hiking new trails on the weekends. Cole Bosley I will be living in Oregon in a yurt and playing my ukulele on the top of the mountains. Rachel Brand Hopefully traveling the European countryside with a wonderful musical husband and maybe two kids. Bailey Brown In 10 years I would like to be working in Florida being a successful event planner, married to a wonderful husband with two kids. Shania Burkhead I will be on my own private island somewhere in the Caribbean saving sea turtles. Shelby Carpenter It’s hard to say. I would like to think I’ll be happily married and have fulfilled my dream to be a teacher, but who knows? Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, as long as I am happy and with the ones I love I will consider myself blessed. Chancellor Carpenter Hopefully working with NASA to develope zero gravity designs. Brittani Casement Living with my husband and our three dogs named Freckles, Bailey and Boomer. Gabe Chavez I plan to be a physical therapist. Christopher Clemons I will be an active Navy SEAL killing terrorists to protect America’s freedom. Chloe Cloud Head of own my own design firm.

Brett Combs In the mountains somewhere, living life and being happy. Kayla Crockett Hopefully I will be married to the love of my life and have a stable career. Kevin Crouse Doing what I love and not being anywhere near Maize.

Arynn Dalal Hopefully living in New York City. Morgan Davis An elementary teacher who has no children but cats instead. Huy Dinh Mechanical Engineering. Tyler Downs Hopefully on vacation in Padre. Amelia Doyle Hopefully out of college with a good degree and ready to get married and start a family. Daniel Edkin Probably a manager of some place or owner of a restaurant or in college. Hannah Edwards Probably living in an extravagant home in someplace warm with a handsome exotic man taking care of me. Alexa Eisenbart A registered nurse specializing in the pediatrics department, married with two kids. Roxana El Sayed Hopefully engaged in Germany with a successful job. Austin Engler Playing bass guitar in some form or fashion.

Cheyenne Esser In 10 years I will be teaching elementary school kids somewhere on the east coast, doing what I love to do. Abbey Evans I will be 28, so engaged possibly? I’m not fond of marriage but it may happen. My greatest goal is to be eeeeeeeeeeeee

10PlaySeniorIssue

in Scotland by then. Grant Evans Construction management.

Jared Farber Writing hopefully. I want to have a family. I hope to be traveling with my husband. Raising our children to better the world with love and acceptance for everyone.

Megan Fischer Living in the English countryside with my doctor husband and five children. Ty Fitzmier Probaby on a boat or in an airplane translating messages. Eric Flett If I’m lucky, sucessful and far, far away from here. Susan Forgie In 10 years you will hopefully find me in either New York building the rest of my modeling portfolio, or traveling with my future hubby (Tom Lindstrom) as he plays hockey around the world. Nicolle Franco I hope living in New York, being a famous photographer. Carlos Garcia Gettin money. Dani Gerety In 10 years, I will hopefully have gone through medical school and will be in the process of completing my residency ro become a clinical pathologist, my ultimate career goal. Chad Gloudeman Having a family and have a good job. Warren Goode Most likely living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kelsey Graber Not sure, and don’t really care as long as I’m happy. Emily Graves Hopefully, I’ll be living in England. Or at the very least, not in Kansas. Meghan Grimes Hopefully I’ll be making money in a good job and be married to a husband who also has a good job so that we’ll be able to support ourselves well enough to have a future family. Daley Handy Sitting at home on the couch in my pjs watching “Remember the Titans” with my husband and eating a bowl of cookie dough. Hannah Henricks I will be married with kid(s) living in a cul-de-sac with all of my friends and having street parties. Liz Henry Hopefully I will be a psychologist and have a family. Clayton Hicks In 10 years I will be happily married with two kids and on my way to starting my own real-estate company. Adrianna Hodges In 10 years, I would like to be working for NASA or a company like it.

Hopefully I will be fulfilling my dreams through space exploration and discovery. Chelina Hoening In California, having my own business. Kelsey Howell Hopefully married with one kid and moved out of Kansas. Mindy Huynh Graduating college. Sandra Jacobs I will be living with friends and working with dogs. Ramsey Jamaleddine On a world tour for my rapping. Riley Jay Either in New York, LA, on a world tour or on your TV screen. Sammir Jibril Working at an electric company. Brooke Johanson My friends and I plan to have houses on our own cul-de-sac and have street parties. Alex Johnson I’ll likely still be in school, dreaming of debt-free bliss and an expensive yacht. Chris Jones Rich on an island with a couple bad females. Dylan Jones If everything goes as planned, I will be out of graduate school and in a job that I enjoy. Also I’ll be planning our 10 year reunion so stay tuned for details. Makenna Jones Living Europe with my sister, Evynn Jones. Ash Kamran Making good money, hoping to be famous. Dustin Kanae Making bank. Jonathan Kars10sen Hopefully in California. I’m hoping to pursue to a career in writing screenplay. Keely Kerns Working in a tattoo parlor. Kara Kolar In 10 years, my friend Sarah Slack and I probably will have finished writing our musical, September 24th, so we will most likely be at the Tonys winning the award for writing the Best Musical. But realistically, in 10 years I’ll hopefully be married with kids and

act

Seniors predict where they will be in 10 years

working as a pediatric nurse. Who knows, maybe I’ll even be a Disney princess. I’ll be happy wherever life takes me.

Steven Koury Working a succcessful job. Sarah Larkin Right now I’m hoping in Nashville writing songs. Matthew LeBegue Living in a large house with a beautiful wife. Alex Lee Having a job that I love and enjoying my life. Tony Lee Video game tester. David Leung Graduated from college and being successful in a career that I love. Si Luc Feeling like a plastic bag drifting through the wind. Connor Lungwitz Hopefully playing baseball somewhere. Cooper Manuel Hopefully in Europe. Jory Martinez In California.

Brenton Mauldin I will hopefully be starting my career as a graphic designer somewhere. Braden McCall Out of Kansas, near a bigger city. Kendal McGuire In 10 years I will be in Wichita. Maite Menendez I will be doing whatever I feel is right. Michelle Methe In 10 years I can see myself working at a nursing home or a hospital as a registered nurse. Micala Milliner In 10 years I will hopefully be a successful makeup artist for celebrities and movies. I will hopefully be married with two kids. Crosbie Moody Hopefully married with my kids and dogs living somewhere near mountains or an ocean.

Aaren Morrell Working in a National Park hopefully in Yellowstone. Sarah Nash Turtle Island and most likely married to my boyfriend of two years. Justin Navrat Hopefully living comforably. Riley Nevins Microsoft.

Jordan Nichols An easier answer to the question would be where am I in five years. Hopefully graduated with a Bachelors in science in EE. A lot can happen in 10 years.

Jack Norris I don’t know, I’m not psychic. Aspen Norris Hopefully finished with my psych degree with a steady household out of Kansas. Logan Ochsner Practicing law.

Emiliano Orozco In Wichita. Katie Orstadt Hopefully living in a beautiful German city, happily married, inventing new technology to help bring the world together. Ashley Owen In the National Guard still. Have a small boutique of things I made artistically. Husband and a little girl in a rustic looking house or a hobbit hole. Coleton Parks Working in the intelligence field. Cameron Paterson I’m going to work with Red Bull and go watch Formula One. Riley Patton Not here. Kyley Peirce Graduating from med school, hopefully the Perelman School of Medicine. Morgan Pfeifer Traveling the world with my hot husband. Grant Pfeifer Hopefully traveling with my family. Samantha Price I’m not very sure, but hopefully done with college. Peyton Quandt Hot doctor or nurse married with four boys. Austin Queen The Military. Nazih Raychouni Hoping to be a dentist.

Mariah Rey Not living in Kansas with my amazing husband. Finishing up medical school and traveling the world helping people. Amanda Rippel Traveling the world.

Grant Risinger Hopefully working in editing, shooting or directing amateur films. Devin Roberts Changing the world. April Romaine Wherever I want to be. Taylor Ramirez A business executive living in Kansas City or North Carolina. Kristin Russell I will be self-made doing some basic job. Abby Schweikert With my friends Harry, Ron and Hermonie defending against the dark arts. Naussica Shinkle Working as a pediatric nurse and hopefully on the way to getting married with at least two

teacup poodles. Caelan Simpson Still married. Still in the Army, possibly deployed. Madi Sites In 10 years, I’ll be married, have a steady job, and will hopefully be traveling the world seeing God’s beautiful creations. Sarah Slack Winning a Tony Award with Kara Kolar for “Best Musical” for our original production, September 24th. Haley Smalley Settled down in a nice house with a fiance and a job as a scientist. Jared Smith Only time will tell. Lauren Stallard I will be traveling to Africa on mission trips to treat hearing disorders. Ashlyn Steuber In the next 10 years I hope to be just graduating from Emporia State with my teaching degree. Keiryn Swenson Hopefully happily married with children surounded by family and starting my career. Loren Syakhasone Portland, Oregon. Mia Taylor My plan is to be a physical therapist that can work in either an athletic center or a hospital setting. Matt Taylor Hopefully living in a beach house, possibly in Texas. Fernando Vazquez Hopefully at a good job with a big salary. Lyndi Walker On the beach with my hot husband. Deidra Walker In 10 years, I will be living in a small town in the country on a ranch with cattle, horses, a pig and a dog. I will also be married and starting a family with a restaurant or some type of food business. Nicole Walker Hanging out with amazing kids and an equally amazing husband. Zoe Wedman Hopefully I will have a family and maybe a kid. Doing something I love. Hopefully a teacher in the special education department helping kids every day and making sure that their futures go the way they want and they get just as many opportunities in life just like everyone else. Scott Wells Happily married and living in a custom built comtemporary home with my high school sweetheart and our bulldog named Princess. Tasha Wentling Graduated. Not in Kansas. Elijah West Living the dream. Tyler Westphal In the military. Miranda White I don’t know, I guess we will see where life takes me. Angelina Wiglesworth Hopefully in my own studio, making enough off of selling my art online and at conventions to live comforably and afford coffee every day. Corey Wilson I plan on making a name for myself in a large company. Nick Wynn Hopefully acting professionally.

Noah Ybarra In Africa. Bethany Yoder Hopefully still in college.

SeniorIssuePlay11

CONGRATULATION The Pampered Chef Independent Kitchen Consultant 316-204-6464 sherry.elder@cox.net www.pamperedchef.biz/sherryelder

Iseman Photography isemanphotography.com wichitaphoto@gmail.com 316-265-2919

Embroidery Sceenprinting Engraving Uniforms Letterjackets

All Seasons Sportswear 7420 Northwind Wichita, KS 67205 316-721-3835

Ratzlaff Orthodontics 7570 W. 21st St. N. Suite 1020A Wichita, KS 67205 316-722-7100

NS CLASS OF 2015 Wichita Driving School 724 Country Acres Wichita, KS 67212 West: 316-721-7950 East: 316-651-0848 www.wichitadrivingschool.com

Powell Jewelery Alpha 1 Drop Zone NEW LOCATION 443 N Maize Rd South of Central Wichita, KS 67212 316-729-0800

Pride Ag Resources Ace Hardware 5204 N. Maize Rd. Maize, KS 67101 316-722-0181

2441 N. Maize Rd. Wichita, KS 67205 316-729-0040 powelljewelry.net

Seven seniors worked on the Play staff for a year or more. Front row, Brooke Johanson, Kalee Betzen and Katie McLachlan. Back row, Maite Menendez, Cheyenne Esser, Hannah Henricks and Shelby Carpenter.

A few last words Play seniors share their last column before graduation

Expectations aren’t reality

H

Savie Hughes

By Cheyenne Esser

igh school was the most imperfect experience.

It was absolutely nothing of what I dreamed it would be at eight years old or how I thought it would be when I was in middle school.

I used to dream of being head cheerleader, and of dating the star football player and to be 6-feet tall with gorgeous blonde hair.

But those dreams were just impossible expectations.

The truth is I became the online editor for Maizenews.com my senior year, and I did date a football player, I reached my max height, in the fifth grade, of 5-foot-5 inches, and every few months I highlight my dirty blonde hair.

I learned that I should never expect anything, except the unexpected.

Know yourself

M

By Maite Menendez

y life is always on my mind. From thinking about how I couldn’t spell my name right to wondering how I’m going to make a living.

My memorable moments in life are mistakes. They make me bang my head against a wall, pinch myself and scream. I want to scream at my young, stupid self and slap myself in the hand and say no.

Say no to all the rude comments or sour attitudes or the resting grunge face. Say no to all the selfish ideals that made me feel higher than the rest of the world.

If I could go back, I wouldn’t.

No. I’m not being a pessimist.

I’ll be back

W

That’s just what I learned throughout the past four years. And without those memories, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Maize High is my learning place. To only learn the subjects required by the state and nothing more. I have learned life lessons but hardly any at school. It’s what happens after that bell rings at 2:45 p.m. When I get home and forget everything that happened at school. When I come home from work at night. When I pull my homework from my backpack. When I can’t sleep at 1 a.m.

I think to myself, learn how to love life.

And you will learn to love yourself.n

By Shelby Carpenter

e have reached our limits. We have made it to our end. We have walked the hallways a final time, never to return.

Well, that is the case for some.

For the past 13 years, nearly all I have known was attending school eight hours a day, doing homework in the evenings and weekends, and filling any extra time with school-related activities. School consumed almost every available minute of my schedule in some way, shape or form. The joyous memories far outweighed the moments of disdain. The hard work and dedication has begun to pay off. And as I hear the final ring of the end-of-theday school bell, as I take my final steps down the hallway, as I drive out of

14PlaySeniorIssue

I just wish I knew that before I entered my freshman year. But the moment I did realize it, everything changed. I was able to accept who I was, and know that popularity really does not matter.

What does matter is enjoying the last four years with your best friends and making memories to last a lifetime, as well as taking the time to find out who you are.

I wouldn’t trade my friends or my high school experience for anything, unless I had the chance to live it with them again.

However, that’s an experience I will only be able to cherish once.

So for now I will enjoy the last few days with the people I love in the place that I love.n

the parking lot one final time, I embark on a journey that will lead me back to the classroom in the end.

My time in Maize as a student has allowed a deep appreciation and love of learning to flourish that will last a lifetime. With the guidance of exceptional teachers and administrators, I have discovered a passion for school that one day I plan to pass on to my own classroom of students.

I cannot envision myself in any other career or future setting other than a classroom, and, with the same hard work and dedication that has allowed me to learn and succeed in Maize, I hope to one day make my dream a reality.n

Moving on to the next adventure

A

By Kalee Betzen

s long as I can remember being in school, I’ve dreamed of graduating high school.

Well, shoot, it is practically here. I could write about the millions of thoughts and feelings going through my head, but to be completely honest, I’m kind of in denial.

It hasn’t sunk in yet that in a matter of days I will walk out of the doors of Maize as a student for the last time. I will walk across that terrifying stage in front of like a million people (and pray I don’t trip).

It simply doesn’t feel as if my time is done here at Maize High, it’s surreal, it is a feeling like no other. I can’t picture myself anywhere but in the district I’ve learned to call home for the past decade. To be honest, I don’t think it will hit me until I walk across the stage at graduation.

The scary thing is, before I know it I will be attending my 10and 15-year class reunion — who knows, maybe married or a mom

— struggling to look back and remember all of the memories and faces I’ve grown up with and see every day.

I’ll have trouble picturing myself back in my high school days as I do now trying to picture myself in college.

One day, I’ll turn on the radio and an old song from my high school days will come on, and I’ll reminisce when I used to sing along with my friends getting ready for football games on Friday nights. Another day I might be flipping through an album or scrapbook and catch a glimpse of an old prom picture or some old friends, smiling to myself wishing I could go back or explaining to my kids what high school was like.

I want to be able to look back on my high school experience with a positive light and treasure it forever. I want to be able and smile and laugh to myself at all of the fun things my friends and I have done, and given my past four years here it is pretty safe to say that I can.n

Finding my place By Hannah Henricks

H

igh school isn’t an easy time for one to find her place. Even with all of the offered clubs, sports and organizations, one could get lost and never find where they were meant to be. Luckily for me, I found my place sophomore year.

As I entered the world of high school journalism, I began my journey of learning. Journalism can’t teach you the basics of life. It teaches the deeper meaning of living, the ups and downs and the not-so-greats the world has to offer.

Being a reporter for Play, I learned a lot about people and much more about grammar. One thing I learned is that people are difficult, but not in a bad way. You can’t just ask a question and expect the best. You have to dig, work at and don’t stop until you get your desired result. I also learned that every day is not spelled everyday. It is really spelled every space day.

Jumping to my senior year, I have learned the most. What makes people

A new stage of my life

H

By Brooke Johanson

igh school has made a huge impact in my life.

It’s a place where I have gone for four years, five days out of the week.

Going into high school was a scary thought for a middle schooler. I was afraid of the older kids. I was afraid of the huge school and that I might get lost going to classes. I was not looking forward to hour and a half long classes either. It was going to be a whole new world.

I started out with two close friends coming into these four years, and now I have about 10 friends who are very close to my heart.

They’re my family.

We do everything together -- from mud runs to laser tag to geocaching or just hanging out at someone’s house playing games.

I always manage to have one of them in each class, so I always have a partner whenever that dreaded moment comes when the teacher assigns you a group project.

Our friend groups merged during the summer after sophomore year, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

But now we are going our separate ways for college. Some of my friends are moving out of state. I’m not looking forward to telling my friends goodbye at the end of summer. I don’t know what I am going to do without them.

One thing about this crazy time in our lives is anything can happen.

You may lose those friends and gain different ones or you may just add to

I thought the end would never come

I

tick, how to act around different personalities and that not everything can go perfectly. I have also learned about myself.

I learned that I get stressed way too easily, that I actually do have a bad side and that I have a terrible memory. The most important thing that I have learned is that even in the most difficult of times, it is important to stay true to yourself. And with that, I owe it all to Play and the staff.

These reporters, photographers, editors and ad managers have had my back the past three years. When the going got tough, they didn’t quit on me. They stuck around and got things done.

This is what a family looks like. A dysfunctional, bickering, hard-working family. Without them, I would have never found my place.

So as I graduate and make my transition from an Eagle to a Hornet, I will always remember my Play newsmagazine family and all they have taught me.n

n a few days, my high school experience will come to an end.

I will learn my last few lessons. I will walk down the halls of Maize High for the last time. I will say my goodbyes to my favorite teachers. I will walk across the stage with my peers as we all receive our diplomas.

I never thought this year would actually come.

We have all been chanting 2015 in school pep assemblies for what seems like forever.

I never thought that one day I would be walking through the doors of Maize High for my last year of high school. I never thought that one day I would be at my last Friday night football game with the best student section around. I never thought that I would attend my last prom. I never thought that I would be writing my last column for Play. I never thought that there would come a day when I would walk out of Maize High on my last day of high school for the very last time.

your crew. You might even find the love of your life along the way.

You shouldn’t miss out on any of the opportunities of high school. They come only once, and even if you have to make a fool of yourself during the process, go for it.

You will only see and stay in contact with a handful of people after you’re out of school. Going to events and hanging out with my friends was the highlight of my years at Maize.

Senioritis is getting the best of me right now.

I basically have all easy classes, and I don’t have to wake up until 8. I never have homework. I feel bad for all the people in their academic classes right now. But this stage of high school will be over soon.

I will now enter the next stage of my life at Emporia State. I will be there for the next four years. I’m sure I will struggle at first finding my way around campus and being away from home, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.

I can’t wait to start in a new place with new people.

I can’t wait to be involved in activities and be pushed to my limit.

My years at Maize have been a breeze, and now I will be tested. I can’t wait to start my nursing program and do what I have dreamed of doing for years.

Even though I will be starting over in a new city, I wouldn’t trade my experiences here for anything. And I would do it all again.

But first I need to get through the end of my senioritis and graduation.n

By Katie McLachlan I would have never thought that what once seemed so far would now be here.

Now I am preparing for college. I would have never imagined that I would be preparing to move 224 miles away from my friends and family. I never thought that I would be getting ready to walk into graduation with my best friend by my side and also walk across the stage and be given a diploma that I have worked 13 long, hard years for.

But it’s here.

I would have never thought that I would be packing up, leaving home, saying goodbye to all my family and friends, and moving away.

I don’t know what is going to happen in the future and I don’t know where I will end up. But one thing I do know is that I will always cherish the memories and friends I have made here.n

SeniorIssuePlay15

w

Congratulations to our 2014-15 seniors

From our newsmagazine family to yours

Miranda White 1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

16PlaySeniorIssue

Ring Masters Teachers inspire students throughout high school Kathleen Barbara

“She’s really easy to talk to and she has really helped me grow in acting and as a person.” — Shania Burkhead

Jessica Shurts

“I just love the way she interacts with her students to make everyone feel like she’s on their side. She truly cares about her students and wants them to succeed inside and outside the classroom.” — Daley Handy

David Walker

“He is a teacher that cares even if you don’t. He inspired my love for reading and learning and motivated me to be my best.” — Ashley Owen

Skeeter Rankins

“He has been there through every change in my life as a coach and teacher. I respect him a lot for all he has done.” — Jake Tatge

Dan Loving

“I have attended Maize schools since I was a kindergartner, and out of all of the incredible educators I have had along the way, he stands out in comparison. He has been not only an incredible teacher these past four years, but an even more incredible friend. Aside from teaching me how to be a better journalist, he also taught me how to be a better person. Whenever I needed something, he was there for me.

Whenever I had a question, he had an answer. Someday, if I am even half the teacher he is, I will consider myself incredibly lucky.” — Shelby Carpenter

Sandra Nitcher

“I had never had a teacher who made learning a new subject and coming to class every day so enjoyable until I had her.

I appreciate her honesty and sarcasm, maybe because I was always on the good end of the stick.” — Riley Jay

Craig Lungwitz

“After having him most of my high school career, I have learned that no matter how hard something is, giving 110 percent every day will get you a long way.” — Alexa Eisenbart

Dylan McCanlies

“He taught me how to appreciate art and to watch my attitude. He’s a cool cat with a great sense of humor, which I respect.” — Maite Menendez

Kevin Frye

“All of my teachers have given me so much insight on my life, but he gave me the chance to be myself.” — Cheyenne Esser

Doris Prater

“Not many teachers would open up their home on multiple weekends, just for a bunch of high school kids together to eat, bond and even play the Hunger Games in her nearby forest.

Mama D is someone who cares more for her students than her own eating schedule, and that says a lot. She has guided me throughout the years, she has revealed to me what real passion looks like, she has shown me how impactful music can be and she has shown me real love. Thank you. I will forever remember you as my second mom in high school.” — Madi Sites

Christine Borrego

“She is, without a doubt, my favorite teacher. A few months after graduating at semester I went back and had a really long conversation with her about everything in my life. Not only has she been a great role model to me, but having her for two years as an English teacher is the reason I love English and grammar so much today.” — Ashley Arnold

Anne Debes

“I’ve had many teachers who have had a positive, profound impact on me. If I had to pick one favorite, it would be her.

She was so helpful when I was struggling. She was one of the best teachers I had in high school.” — Michelle Methe

Stan Bergkamp

“He is an amazing teacher that helped me understand how he works through math. Also, his hatred of freshmen made me laugh every day.” — Keiryn Swenson

Wayde Watkins

“He has always been there when I needed something. He has inspired me to not care at all what people think about me and always supported my goals.” — Sarah Larkin

Deb Cox

“She has been my second mom since sophomore year. She is like my rock, always strong and sterdy, always pushing me to do my best in everything I do. Mrs. Cox is such a strong and inspiring person she always knows what to say. ” — Kyley Peirce

Pat Snyder

“She has been my En-Cor and business teacher for three years and I always took an interest in me and what I do outside of school.” — Taylor Ramirez

Some responses were edited for length and clarity. View all responses on our website, www.maizenews.com SeniorIssuePlay17

Grand Entry Play throws back to elementary and middle school days with submitted photos from students.

1: Saige Baalman, Deidra Walker, Morgan Pfeifer and Crosbie Moody flex their muscles during a middle school dance. 2: Kelsey Quick, Paige Swanson, Morgan Pfeifer and Zoe Wedman pose in class. 3: Brittani Casement, Kalee Betzen and Morgan Davis celebrate their last day as middle schoolers. 4: Kassidy Carpenter and Ashley Krase hang out in elementary school. 5: Sarah Slack, Kara Kolar, Katarina Ortstadt and a friend having fun during elementary school. 6: Dani Bever, South senior Courtney Urbanek and Shelby Carpenter prepare for an eighth grade dance. 7: Ricardo Gonzalez and South senior Allena Em pose on the last day of eighth grade. 8: Cheyenne Esser and Kara Kolar have fun in their fourth grade class. 9: Cole Bosley and South senior Kamryn McCarthy smile on the last day of eighth grade. 10: Along with several other teammates, Ricardo Gonzalez and Devon Baker celebrate a win after a little league game.

Play could not find identification for every person.

18PlaySeniorIssue

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

7

9

10

SeniorIssuePlay19

1. Seniors Elijah West and Connor Lungwitz lead the football team out of the tunnel at the beginning of the first game of the season against Derby. The Eagles finished a tough season 4-5.

2. Senior Austin Taylor serves the volleyball at the Dig Pink game.

3. Senior Grant Risinger performs as the ghost of Jacob Marley in a scene for “A Christmas Carol.�

4. Senior Keiryn Swenson dribbles to the basket in the semifinal game of the state tournament. The girls ended second at state against South 56-48.

5. Seniors Riley Nevins and Clayton Hicks participate in the dodge ball tournament during basketball homecoming week.

6. Seniors Rachel Brand and Grant Risinger sing together in their band for Coachella before the bonfire of spirit week.

7. Senior Tony Lee bowls with his buddy, freshman Logan Shultz, on a bowling field trip with Friendship Club.

8. Seniors Ricardo Gonzalez, Jordan Guerrero, Chris Jones and Gabe Chavez perform their skit for the football jersey auction.

9. Senior Alexa Eisenbart throws the football along side senior Mia Taylor during the powderpuff game. The seniors beat the juniors by one touchdown.

Behind the curtain 2

1 20PlaySeniorIssue

3

5

4

6

7

9

8 SeniorIssuePlay21

Athletes of the year Connor Lungwitz

Keiryn Swenson & Daley Handy

Cheyenne Esser

Connor Lungwitz signed to Wichita State for baseball.

Play: How have your parents impacted your high school sports career?

Connor Lungwitz: They have been very supportive. My dad in particularly, he has been my weights teacher. He has really pushed me to my limits and made me a much better player in everything I’ve done.

P: Best advice you have given to a younger player?

CL: I’d say just every day keep a level head and you can always control how hard you work, you can’t control much else.

P: What was the most valuable piece of advice you have received?

CL: Just because seniors or juniors are ahead of you doesn’t mean you’re stuck. You should try to beat them every day in practice, and just because you are buddies doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be competitive and compete for that spot.

P: Who did you look up to as a child?

CL: I looked up to my dad a lot.

P: What is your most memorable moment from all four years at Maize?

CL: My sophomore year when we scored on a lastsecond pass against Salina Central.

P: Do you have any plans pursuing your athletic career?

CL: I’m going to Wichita State next year to play baseball unless something happens with the draft issue.

My goal is to go as far as it will take me.

P: What will you miss most about high school athletics?

CL: The atmosphere, football especially. There is nothing like a Friday night in high school football, even basketball games were amazing. Really just getting to play with your peers and the kids you grew up with for the last time.

P: How do you want to be remembered at Maize?

CL: A hard worker, someone who always wanted to win and would do anything he could to win.

P: What would you like to say to everyone at Maize?

CL: Thanks for the fun ride and thanks for the great memories.n

Hannah Jurgensen

Si Luc

Keiryn Swenson signed for basketball and track at Arkansas.

Daley Handy signed to play basketball at Wyoming.

Play: How have your parents impacted your high school sports career?

Daley Handy: I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

They have pushed me really hard, even when I didn’t want to be pushed, but it’s for the better.

Keiryn Swenson: They have gotten me to the point I am now, and then once I hit high school, I had even better coaches, it’s improved me a lot.

P: Best advice you have given to a younger player?

DH: I would say never give up and to keep working hard, even when it feels like it’s not working or nothing is going right.

Just keep trying, keep working hard and keep getting better.

KS: Stay relaxed, because my biggest problem is I always over analyze things and work too hard and stress about it. You just have to stay relaxed and it will happen.

P: Who did you look up to as a child?

DH: Definitely my dad. He was a big part of my life and he coached me all through middle school and high school, so he was always helping me get better.

KS: My parents have been driving me to do better all of my life.

P: What is your most memorable moment from all four years at Maize?

DH: All of the memories of my team, getting to know them, becoming best friends with Keiryn Swenson and all of the other girls. We are teammates for life.

KS: Every sport I’ve been in since my freshman year I have gone to state tournament or state meet and I think that’s amazing.

P: Do you have any plans pursuing your athletic career?

DH: I plan to be a basketball coach, I really would love to some day.

KS: I will be a basketball player and track athlete at the University of Arkansas in the next year. After college I am interested in continuing to throw the javelin.

P: What will you miss most about high school athletics?

DH: My dad as a coach.

KS: I think just my really close friends and the team chemistry.

P: How do you want to be remembered at Maize?

DH: I want to be remembered as someone who never gave up, always worked hard and always gave her all.

KS: A hard worker, I want to leave behind a good legacy.

P: What would you like to say to everyone at Maize?

DH: Thank you for always supporting me and being great fans.

KS: I’ll miss you guys.n

fashions • gifts • accessories

s

ou B-fabul

Friend us on Facebook!

A UNIQUE BOUTIQUE Phone: 682-5531 1-800-NOW-DANC

1719 S. Hillside Wichita, KS 67211 Mon - Sat: 10-9 Sunday: 1-6

Alpha 1 Drop Zone ARMY AND NAVY STORE HOURS

Monday-Friday 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM

NEW LOCATION 443 N Maize Rd South of Central

www.alpha1dropzone.com FAX: 316.729.4262 316.728.0800

PARKAS, BACK PACKS, BOMBER HATS, PARA CORDS, DOG TAGS, AND MORE!