Sterling Cub Reporter: April 2016

APRIL 2016

The Beginning of the End Volume 2 • Issue 7

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April 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 1

NEWS

Briefly Stated

Zero to

Have you ever wondered about all the cool stuff going on around SHS, and then thought of all the unfortunate stuff to happen? Here’s your guide to all the hot, and cold, stuff going on at SHS.

100 90

SHS journalism sends all staff members to state KSPA competition.

80 70 Senior Hannah Hendricks signs to continue her cheer career at Hutchinson Community college.

60 50 40 30

Boys basketball losses a two point heartbreak vs. Scott City in the SubState championship.

“Corn is good all the time. Kinda like Jesus.”

SENIOR HOLLY DAVIS describes her love for corn and Jesus Christ during school lunch. Corn is her favorite food, and she often finds herself opening up a can and eating it whenever she’s hungry. “My mom makes sure to always have some in stock,” she said.

Basketball boys, girls receive league honors

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(Photos by Veronica Norez)

League Honors Received: sophomore Kenan Comley (U) first team, senior Kylah Comley (U) first team, senior Emma Lambert (U) first team, junior Kyler Comley first team, senior Sydney Wilson second team, senior Steven Hinshaw honorable mention, sophomore Taya Wilson honorable mention.

ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO

Members of the student section at state basketball cheer on the girls during their semifinal game against Sabetha. The student section for the game was frat night. (Photo by Veronica Norez)

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FBLA looks to state contest

(Photo by Alex Veliz) Choir director Clark Comley conducts the high school choir during practice.

Band, choir prepare for upcoming events ALEXIS VELIZ Cub Reporter With regionals and state contest coming up for both choir and band, a lot of preparation has begun to compose themselves for the upcoming competitions.

“We have been doing a lot of independent work with our soloist, all day long, before and after school, evenings and even during classes,” choir director Clarke Comley said.

“We have 21 soloist to get ready, so whenever I have time I look for kids to work with.”

At league contest both large ensembles and soloists received with feedback from the judges to help them as they continue toward their next competition.

“We will review what the judges said about us and if we agree on certain things than we will implement them, but if we like what we are doing than we will polish it up and keep it,” Comley said.

There are many obstacles that a performer must overcome before they can advance to the next competition which goes hand in hand with not only talent that a singer or a musician, but also preparations done before hand.

“A lot of people take for granted that a one rating is going to come to us,” Comley said. “The reality of it is, however, if you don’t prepare for the competition like we are doing you won’t survive festival for either competition.”

Band director Larry Brownlee also believes that practice before the higher level competitions is instrumental for success.

“The music is pretty hard if you don’t practice it before hand,” Brownlee said. “The independent work that we give each ensemble or soloist is to give them responsibility for their piece.” www.sterlingcubreporter.com

LINDSAY GILMORE Cub Reporter In its inaugural year at Sterling High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) will be taking 12 students to state competition on April 4-5.

“With FBLA everybody qualifies for state. The district competition is actually more of a run-through or a practice round,” FBLA sponsor Eric Wenzel said. “It’s not required by the state, but I require that anyone wanting to compete at state participate at districts as well. If they didn’t come to districts then they don’t come to state either.”

At FBLA competitions, multiple types of contests are available for students to participate in.

“There’s wide range of events. There’s a number of them that are objective tests based on specific events such as accounting and personal finance,” Wenzel said.

“There are also skill events, which are more of your soft skills with presentations such as interviewing for a job.

There are many opportunities for kids to plug into and meet with a lot of local professionals that are going to be judging those areas as well.”

Although there has not been a chapter of FBLA at SHS before this year, Wenzel said he was pleasantly surprised with the success at districts, but does not quite know what state will be like.

“I’m not sure what state is going to bring. I think there will be some very competitive events, but I think that we have some students that will compete at and near the top of the state level,” he said. “I’m excited to see how they do. They’ve put great prep work into it, and going to districts also is going to help them know what kind of things are going to be expected at state as well.”

Sterling, Ks (620) 278-2244 www.aldenst8.com April 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 3

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NEWS

(Photo by Kylah Comley) Junior class President Maddie Wagley poses with prom decorations. “Most of the decorations will be an arrangement of flowers, globes, and candles,” she said. “Along with something to represent a certain Country or city.”

2016 prom planning takes different route KYLAH COMLEY Cub Reporter Planning for prom- the biggest dance of the school yearfrequently changes from year to year. Each year the junior class is in charge of prom planning and they often have different ways of addressing it.

“I do enjoy prom planning,” junior class Secretary Niki Dowell said. “I am glad that we are in charge but I kind of wish that more of us had a say. Not to where there is one person in charge and things get voted on.”

This year, the junior class voted on the theme Travel.

“Our class chose the travel theme for this year’s prom because we wanted to be able to incorporate many different, unique ideas, but also have them work together and complement each other,” junior class President Maddie Wagley said.

Along with the changes in theme, students from the location committee are proposing changing the order and location of promenade.

“Brandon and I are on the location committee, but since we didn’t really have to do anything about location we kind of became the promenade committee. We wanted to incorporate the cars that people drive to prom more, because that’s the whole point of getting a cool car to take,” junior Vice President Lindsay Gilmore said. “So we planned

4 • Sterling Cub Reporter • April 2016

the entire thing out, to have promenade outside the school before dinner, and have valet’s park the cars while the guests walk in. We got everything worked out, but when the invitations came out they said that promenade would be after dinner. So we don’t know for sure what’s going to happen.”

In spite of the fact that a big entertainment hit at prom last year was the photo booth that traveled with the DJ, the entertainment committee decided to change it up and create their own “do it yourself ” photo booth.

“Our main concern with the DJ and photo booth we had last year was the price. We didn’t feel confident that we had enough money to do that again, and the entertainment committee chose against it,” Wagley said. “Although we do have an alternative to the photo booth, we opted for a more portable version that can be hooked up to students phones and still prints pictures right there.”

Two-time prom sponsor Rebekah Wagley also noticed some differences from the way planning took place last year.

“As the only sponsor I make sure that the students get their funds raised, help them make decisions like decorating, find fund raising opportunities, and make sure everything is put together on time,” she said. “One of the differences from last year is that this year’s students are not as involved and I am having to have to step in a little more, but there is also less drama this year. Overall I think prom will be great and it will fit the junior classes personality perfectly.” www.sterlingcubreporter.com

EDITORIAL

Letter to the editor

The Student Council of Sterling High School is determined to create a caring, exciting, and positive program which provides the greatest environment for learning and teaching.

When off base editorials are written regarding the conduct of another student-­run organization, it is only destructive of those ends. There were no suggestions offered in the excessively one-sided editorial written behind the front of the Editorial Board of the Cub Reporter for Student Council to better itself.

When looking only at the face value ­­as “More, More, More” is doing ­­Student Council may seem that they are only doing the “annual things.” Which poses the question, who would pick up the “annual things” if it were not for Student Council? Through the last four years of my involvement with Student Council, we have worked endlessly to provide enjoyable activities for the student body. Be it scheduling or lack of support from the administration, we run into roadblocks that make new events difficult to host. I challenge the Cub Reporter to find a date on the school calendar, that is not a Wednesday, does not have athletic events or extracurricular activities previously scheduled, and where the majority of the student body can attend to schedule a new activity.

I would like to thank the Cub Reporter for giving Student Council the “needed” publicity over a select few of the events that we have hosted this year. It seems that the Editorial Board has forgotten about the other events that Student Council runs. The Homecoming ceremony and dance, the single largest event at Sterling High School is planned, paid for, and hosted

by Student Council. This year, in my opinion, was the best homecoming Sterling High School has seen in years. We are also responsible for planning the schedule and hosting of the new students on the first day of school, giving up our last day of summer. Those are just the tip of the iceberg of Student Council’s activities. I would rather have the student body not realize everything Student Council does, than a Student Council that gloats about the activities hosted.

I urge the members of the Editorial Board, or any student who has an issue with the way Student Council hosts its activities, to attend a Student Council meeting on Mondays in Seminar to allow Student Council to discuss and solve the problem. I would also encourage students to run for Student Council on April 25​t​ o help better the learning environment here at Sterling High School. ­— Brayden J. Hosman, Student Council President The Sterling High School Cub Reporter and all subsidiary publications are designated forums of free speech.

The print edition is published October through May of each school year by the journalism class at Sterling High School. It is distributed for no charge throughout Unified School District 376 buildings and the Sterling community.

The first copy is free. Subsequent copies will cost $1 per copy. For information about being added to the subscription list, contact Todd Vogts at 620-278-2171. Letters to the editor are welcome. Email them to editor@sterlingstudentpublications.com. All letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will not be printed. All letters subject to editing for legal, grammatical and factual reasons.

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Prom planning a team effort

As I walk through the hallways at school, a common conversation I hear revolves around prom. To some people, it’s a really big deal, and, honestly, it’s borderline hilarious to watch them get worked up about it. To me, it’s not too big of a deal, but that doesn’t mean I’m not looking forward to it and don’t want to know what is going on with the planning.

I don’t think I’m alone in this.

I have talked to many of class- DALLAS LACKEY mates who have no idea what is going on with the prom planning. This is moderately upsetting to me.

Prom should be looked at as something that our entire class sets up together, not just one or two people controlling the whole situation. We only get one chance at setting one up, so why wouldn’t we all want to do the best we can and set up a great prom?

Deep down everyone wants to enjoy prom, even the people that say it is “dumb” or “pointless.” Prom is something that students look forward to, even if they won’t admit to it.

So why is it that when the time comes to set it up and plan, we let one or two people control everything while we juniors sit back uninformed and watch? We need to start stepping up and running it together. It seems every year you hear about how one or two people control how everything is set up, and I strongly believe that students choose to think that it has to be that way.

However, I see this is a two way street. If the majority of my class is complaining about someone taking over the prom set up, shouldn’t that be recognized and the opinions of others sought out? Or, if the class members aren’t trying to voice their opinions, they have nothing to stand on when it comes time to complain. Either way, everyone needs to strongly involve everyone else. They need to get out there and talk to people about what they want.

Both ends are at fault, based on multiple conversations I have had with my fellow classmates it is more than obvious that both sides are failing to keep the other side happy. The blame isn’t on one person. It’s on all of us. Let’s come together as a class and pull off an awesome prom.

STAFF

Sterling High School

CUB REPORTER

& www.sterlingstudentpublications.com 308 E. Washington, Sterling, KS 67579 Phone: 620-278-2171 • Fax: 620-278-3237

Editor-In-Chief: Kylah Comley Reporters: Alex Veliz, Lindsay Gilmore, Dallas Lackey, Lexi Rose, Anna Tuszynski

ADVISER Todd Vogts

ADVERTISING SALES Student Publications Staff

GRAPHIC ARTISTS SHS Graphic Design Class

April 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 5

FEATURE

(Photo by Veronica Norez) Members of the Sterling community participate in the Lady Bears’ “send off” for state. “It felt comforting seeing people show up and knowing that we had a ton of support from them,” junior Emma Horsch said. “We have people that love us for who we are no matter how we played.”

Basketball sees success in many ways ALEXIAS ROSE Cub Reporter This year, the entire Sterling community got the chance to participate in something that hasn’t happened in our town for three years — state basketball.

With state being the main goal, both the girls and boys basketball teams strived not only to make it to the championship game, but to win it; which took a lot of hard work and determination.

“We focused more on the little things that needed improvement, like our technique and mindset,” senior Steven Hinshaw said.

Although the boys fell short in the sub-state final to the No. 1-ranked Scott City and were not able to advance to the state tournament, they still continued to support the Lady Bears.

“I speak for the whole boy’s basketball team when I say that all our support was with them,” Hinshaw said.

“It was a little disappointment though, knowing that we could’ve been right beside them if we had gotten only a few more points.”

Despite their disappointment of not advancing to state, for some of the boys, just being able to play on the varsity team was an achievement.

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“Playing varsity made me feel more like I was a part of the team,” junior JJ Oden said.

Although the boys did feel a slight setback, there was no question as to if this season had been successful or not.

“Even though we didn’t make it to state,” head basketball coach Derek Schneider said, “we were successful in accomplishing many of the goals we set and were able to strengthen our relationships.”

As for the Lady Bears, advancing past sub-state was a memorable experience. The last time they won a sub-state championship was in 2012 against Central Plains. Head coach Jill Rowland always worked to help her team stay motivated throughout the season, but she knew they wouldn’t have a problem with it at state.

“This group of seniors have always been very motivated,” she said.

“They’ve always been able to bounce back, and I think because the connection between them and the underclassmen was so strong that they picked up on this.”

With only a handful of underclassmen playing on varsity, the bond between them and the upperclassmen gave way to more room for strengthening.

“Being able to actually go to state

my freshman year was fantastic,” freshman Grace Rowland said. “The seniors always included people and made me want to get better — whether it be with my defense, offense or dribbling skills.”

Even though the girls were able to benefit from their team chemistry and sweep their way through sub-state untouched, they still had to focus on their main goal — winning state.

“I think we were very confident going into the first round,” senior Sarah Stallings said. “Having confidence

“We made it further than 60 other 3A teams. I am proud of my kids’ behavior, effort, and the goals that we met.”

—Jill Rowland, coach boosted our team chemistry, which in the end helped us to play better.”

The Lady Bears started out strong in their first round against Caney Valley, defeating the Bulldogs by 30 www.sterlingcubreporter.com

points.

“We all expected to continue to do as well as we did in the first game,” Stallings said. “We just knew we had to stay motivated, and with the first win down, that wasn’t too hard.”

With the underclassman in mind, the seniors made a point to focus on being positive leaders and role models.

But, as everyone experiences, it’s not always easy to have a good mindset.

“I wasn’t always the most positive person,” Stallings said. “But I got over the negative feelings and was able to focus again. I tried to stay positive to show that basketball isn’t just about basketball, it’s about becoming a better person and enjoying the game.”

Motivation and being a good role model wasn’t a mindset only for the girls, it meant a lot to members on the boys team as well.

“I wanted the younger guys to look up to me, on and off the court,” Oden said. “I wanted to be seen as a good example and a good person, and that they were able to do the right thing morally, because that’s what I was doing.”

With this school year coming quickly to an end, many of the seniors already catch themselves reflecting back on winter sports.

“I was thrown into the only senior leadership role,” Hinshaw said. “That was some scary stuff, but it made me grow up and realize so many people looked up to me. It’s impacted my whole life.”

Hinshaw also felt that being a good role model was about more than just the game.

“I wanted to be a better role model for them because it’s not just about playing basketball, it’s about becoming a better man.”

As for others, reflecting back on their senior year was more of a reminder as to what kind of mindset they should have.

“It was definitely one of the highs of my senior year,” Stallings said. “It was also one of the lowest lows, but it helped us remember that whatever we do, we do for Him.” One of the most significant influences from this year’s basketball season as a whole was the effect that religion

(Photo by Veronica Norez) The Lady Bears’ starting players pray before their first state game against Caney Valley. They beat the Bulldogs by over 30 points.

(Photo by Veronica Norez) The Sterling High school student section, clad in their “Jake from State Farm” insurance attire, prepare for the “roller coaster” cheer, where they go through the motions of a roller coaster ride during the girls’ first state game against Caney Valley. www.sterlingcubreporter.com

April 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 7

had on the team.

“We had a lot of faith-based kids,” Rowland said. “It gave them the ability to bounce back and realize that there are greater things out there than winning a state championship.”

Religion impacted both the girls’ and boys’ team performances.

“It brought us together as a team,” Schneider said. “It helped encourage the relationships we wanted to build and strengthen.”

Alongside religion, the community had a big impact on both teams.

“The community outside of Sterling High school has been absolutely awesome,” Rowland said. “They definitely helped us want to win more.”

Both basketball teams felt support from the cheerleaders and school members as well “The cheers were my favorite part,” Rowland said. “You’ve got so many people cheering you on along with the cheerleaders. I’m sure our girls felt pretty prideful.”

The support given from the entire Sterling community even effected people from others schools and communities.

“I’ve had people from other schools

come up to me and say they liked our school spirit,” Rowland said. “People view us as a well-supported school, which in the end is really what matters more than just winning.”

Even the boys felt support from our small-town community.

“They’ve always had extreme support for us,” Schneider said. “They give the guys something to play for other than each other.”

One official from the Lady Bear’s third place state game felt so moved by the overall attitude of Sterling’s players and community that he expressed his feelings through a Facebook post. In his post, Referee Jay Clark talks about how much he enjoyed being a ref for that game, and that both teams “played their hearts out.” He goes on to say that, “it was one of the best games he’s officiated in 29 years.”

Although neither of the Sterling high school basketball teams won state, triumph was reached in more distinct terms.

“I felt so proud of not only my kids, but this entire basketball program,” Rowland said. “We made it further than 60 other 3A teams. I am proud of my kids’ behavior, effort, and the goals

(Photo by Veronica Norez) Junior Brett Oden supports the “Jake from State Farm” insurance theme during the girls’ first state game against Caney Valley.

that we met. To me, this season was very successful.”

(Photo by Veronica Norrez) The members of the Lady Bears basketball team pose after their final state game against Thomas More Prep, losing 76-70. The Lady Bears took fourth place overall at state.“I think we still had a really good season even though we lost,” freshman Grace Rowland said.

“We grew as a team, accomplished goals as a team, and were all able to bond — that’s what matters most.”

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SPORTS

State wrestling brings memories to Nichols ALEX VELIZ Cub Reporter

Among the many demanding sports at SHS some believe that wrestling is near the top of the list. From the full physical contact to the athlete independent performance, not many people have the capability to reach state with little preparation.

“I was really confident going into regionals,” senior Zane Nichols said. “Even though I knew I was the seventh seed, it tells me that there are six people who are supposed to be better than me so I just needed to work harder because in wrestling anybody can beat anybody.”

Nichols’ road to state started with his success in regionals and previous experience this past season.

“Winning my first round in regionals was because I dominated the first guy, second round I won because my opponent tech faulted,” he said. “I came back my second day and wrestled really good and basically just punched my ticket for state. Before regionals I did face an injury that didn’t let compete in a previous tournament that would have padded my record, but it didn’t stop me from pursuing my goal of making it to state.”

With Nichols securing his position for state, he took this as an opportunity to hone in on his skills on the mat.

“My first thought going into to state was me making weight, and my second thought was I have to work on escaping,” he said. “I am a good offensive wrestler and I can usually get away from mostly anyone, but state qualifying wrestlers are a whole different story so I knew I needed to be prepared.”

The many improvements Nichols’ has helped him prepared for his journey to the state tournament.

“It is really shocking for people to find out that I am a four year wrestler who made it to state because most qualifying wrestlers have been wrestling since they were six,” he said. “I really have to thank my coaches because they help work on my technique and they are the reason that I have learned so much.”

Nichols has been trying to reach the spot of state qualifier since he was freshmen wrestler.

“It is just like any other sports to go to state because it is a big honor,” he said. “I probably put in a lot of work I was told I was one of the hardest workers like Derek and Dylan and I put in the work so I could reap my rewards just like I did at state.”

Nichols has taken not only new techniques, but also a new outlook on hard work and how it pays off, in wrestling and other aspects of his life.

“The biggest thing wrestling has taught me is that anyone can win at any given moment after all you get what you put in,” he said. “I know that without a doubt wrestling has increased my endurance both physically and mentally not

(Photo by Grace Rowland) Senior Zane Nichols grapples with his opponent at the league tournament in Hesston.

just because of the sport itself, but also how much I wanted to get better.”

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April 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 9

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(Photo by Alexias Rose) Softball players begin their practice by warming up their arms during the first week of their season with the whole team, some were gone due to state basketball. Pictured are from left to right, junior Emma Horsch, sophomore Reagan Mantz, senior Veronica Norez, senior Kylah Comley, junior Lindsay Gilmore, and senior Sarah Stallings.

Softball leans on experience, leadership ANNA TUSZYNSKI Cub Reporter

As the sunny spring season rolls in, so do spring sports.

One of the four springs sports offered at SHS is softball.

Practice for the Lady Bears has already started and as they are preparing for their first game this season on April 1.

“I’m really excited to get back into the swing of things, pun intended. But, I know that we might be a little bit unprepared due to the lack of practices for those involved in state basketball,” junior Lindsay Gilmore said. “Even though we aren’t going to have many practices as a team before the game, I think that our experience is going to lead us in the right direction.”

Their first game will be played at home against the Larned Indians. They defeated the Indians 4-3 and 18-10 in last years season opener.

“We need to be more successful than last year,” Emma Horsch said. “We need to work on our endurance, credentials and strengths with the team.”

Last year the Lady bears finished their season with a 1211 record. This year one of the goals some of the players had for this season was to be above 12 wins.

“The seniors on the team have never won more than 12 games in our high school career,” senior Kylah Comley said.

“I think it is a really good goal for us as a team this season and I think we have the talent and work ethic to make it happen.”

Another one of the goals mentioned by Horsch was to win regionals and make it to the state tournament in Manhattan, Kansas.

“In order to make it make our goal of getting to state, we need to work on our discipline at the plate and execute the defensive plays better during the game,” Horsch said.

“After last years season I feel like I’ve become more mentally aware and I’ve even taken over as more of a leader. I also understand that it takes all nine players to win and make it www.sterlingcubreporter.com

to state then just two or three of them.”

With the experience of 10 returning players, and the addition of five freshman the softball team is looking to have new leadership opportunities.

“There is a lot of raw material this year but the freshman seem more comfortable than usual,” Horsch said. “They are doing good so far and I can see them as being good leaders in the future.”

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April 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 11

SPORTS

Juniors step up to lead tennis team

DALLAS LACKEY Cub Reporter Tennis is a sport that commonly can be overlooked, but to some tennis brings a lot of responsibility, hard work, and most importantly, fun.

All sports bring some sort of responsibility, whether it’s to be at practice everyday or to lead. Leading becomes even harder without any seniors on the team. Junior Max Fulbright is one player taking on the leadership role.

“I think that it is a good chance for me to involve the younger players and show them you can have fun and work hard,” he said.

Junior Kyler Comley agreed.

“Time will tell how we do,” Comley said. “We can have a very strong team it just depends on the computing around us and how much we continue to get better everyday at practice.”

As the season goes on the players will continue to put in the effort, and do the best that they can.

“I think as the season progresses we will focus more on our goal,” Fulbright said. “Winning our regionals, and moving on to state.”

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(Photo by Dallas Lackey) Sophomore Zach Schissler and senior Nick Schissler practice putting together on the green.

Golf swinging for state tournament KYLAH COMLEY Cub Reporter

Tradition is a word commonly used by members of the SHS golf team. They’ve won three regional championships and Sterling High School’s only league Golf title.

“We have a great tradition going on as a team. Every day at practice we do the same stuff and work on fundamentals,” sophomore Lucas Weigel said. “When the season comes, we hit those fundamentals hard, and we do that every year and then we get a chance at state.”

According to Nick Schissler this year shall be no different, they are still aiming for the goal of a state title.

“I think the experience coming from playing at state the last three years will help a lot,” he said. I think we have a better chance of winning this year because this years team will all put in the work to get the “goal” done.”

Not only do they want to win state for themselves, but also for their head coach Dale Rose who could possibly be ending his coaching career after this season.

“I can’t really say if this is my last year coaching yet or not,” Rose said. “Things change from year to year, and God isn’t just going to tell us when something is ending.”

The golf team is returning four varsity members, and according to Rose there will be talent returning as well.

“We have the same level of talent this year, and I say that with a question because it depends on Zach [Schissler],” he said. “He has been really strong this year with everything going on in his personal life.”

The first golf tournament will be on April 4th at the Highlands course in Hutchinson.

“I’m most excited for the first tournament because that will give me an idea on who we need to improve and what we need to do,” Rose said. “Our main goal is to take first or second at regionals so we can get to state.” www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Boys track down, girls looking to succeed LINDSAY GILMORE Cub Reporter With three sports being offered for boys during the spring athletics season, the small male student-body of Sterling High School can be spread fairly thin among tennis, track, and golf.

This year, the boy’s track team took a hit in the numbers and experience column. Some just wanted to try something new, others wanted to have a break. Overall, though, there were many reasons.

“I think this will affect our 4X400 meter relay on the boys side. We had two boys that participated in that last year that chose to go out for other sports this year so that should hurt us,” head track coach Keith Patterson said.

“We’ll get people to fill in those spots. I’m not going to push anyone into those spots, but they will be asked to fill in.”

Many guys that were out for track in the 2015 season chose to participate in a different sport this time around.

“I played a lot of golf this summer and I really enjoyed it so I wanted to try it this year, and it might be Dale’s [Rose] last year coaching and I really enjoy him,” sophomore Lucas Briar said. “I just wanted to try something new.”

While some chose a different sport because they wanted to try new things, junior JJ Oden chose to quit track due to lack of desire to do a certain event.

“I didn’t want to do the 300 meter hurdles, and I felt like if I went out I would have to do them,” he said.

Junior Edward Weiner, who was involved in track last year but will be participating in tennis this year, also disliked the events he participates in.

“Tennis is a lot more laid back and not as painful as the 400 meters,” he said.

Students that are still out for track have mixed feelings about their peers switching sports, but many believe that the outcome of the team will take a large hit in many aspects.

“It sucks because we could have made it to state this year in the 4X100 meters, and those chances went down by a lot when almost nobody went out for track,” junior Ethan Proffitt said.

Although the boy’s team may take a loss, Patterson believes that the girls team will still compete at a high level.

“Our girls should be very competitive. We have some very athletic girls and it shows when you see that they’ve been to state in volleyball and to state in basketball,” he said.

“I’m hoping to have 10 or 12 girls qualify for the state track meet.”

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107 N. Broadway, Sterling April 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 13

n

INFOGRAPHIC

by the

numbers

At SHS, forensics is one of the most successful programs year in and year out. Here’s a quick look at some of the numbers that revolve around forensics at Sterling High School.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS the amount of meets you have to participate in each year

first year forensics students

14 • Sterling Cub Reporter • April 2016

sponsors supervise meets www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Entries go to state Champs

League CHAMPIONSHIPS total students involved miles separate sterling and El Dorado El Dorado is the farthest that the forensics team travels www.sterlingcubreporter.com

April 2016 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 15

ENTERTAINMENT NOTE: Killer Serial Fiction is a part of Sterling Student Publications. It is the home of creative writing by Sterling High School creative writing students.

Stories appearing here are works of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. These stories are presented for entertainment purposes only and are not intended to be read as being part of Sterling Student Publications news coverage. For more stories, visit www.sterlingstudentpublications.com/fiction.

The Journey Begins

BY ZANE NICHOLS

Springing out of bed, Naruto opened the curtains, allowing the sun to seep into the room and onto his roommates face. Sasuke groaned and rolled to the other side of the bed. “Get up, Sasuke! It’s evaluation day!” Naruto announced, almost loud enough for the whole floor to hear. He stared out the window overlooking the training grounds, where he was soon about to be showing off all the skills he had been perfecting for almost 4 months.

Sasuke threw a pillow at the back of Naruto’s head.

It forced him to the ground and Naruto quickly found Sasuke on top of him trying to get him in noogie formation. Sasuke chuckled as he easily overpowered Naruto and began inflicting the worst noogie pain Naruto had ever experienced. “You’re never going to wake me up before Sensei knocks on our door. Ever. Again. Got it?”

“Yes, I understand, Sasuke!” As Sasuke lazily climbed back into bed, there was a knock at the door. Naruto opened it excitedly. Sensei Kakashi was standing in the open doorway with a pile of papers. He handed one to Naruto and one to Sasuke. Without even glancing at the paper, Naruto questions, “I thought today was evaluation day! We aren’t supposed to be taking more quizzes!”

“Bring it to the training grounds,” Kakashi explained as he walked down the hallway to pass out the rest of the mysterious papers. Shutting the door slowly, Sasuke looked at the paper. It was a picture of a monkey climbing a tree. Dumbfounded, Naruto asked Sasuke what was on his paper. “It’s the number 5.” Even more confused now he dressed himself for the day and headed to the training grounds.

He was the first one to show up at the grounds, so he took advantage of it. He grabbed a few practice shurikens and climbed on top of the balance beams. He bounded around the beams with little to no effort and sunk each thrown shuriken into the wooden dummies placed in each direction. He then headed over to the rolling logs.

He released a few ropes and 3 swinging logs came flying 16 • Sterling Cub Reporter • April 2016

out of the trees across the rolling logs. Naruto hopped on and began backpedaling. Realizing he may have put too much on himself by releasing the swinging logs, he tumbled to the ground. He then heard a loud boom of laughter and was startled by the instant noise. The class was walking towards him in mob form and at the front of the mess was Sensei Kakashi. “I don’t see why you guys are laughing. By the end of the day, all of you will have fallen a handful of times. So I’d hold my tongue if I were you guys. Besides, I don’t see any of you guys out here early trying to get some practice in.” That quickly silenced them all.

“Now that the fun and games are over. Group together by the pictures on your papers,” ordered Sensei Kakashi.

The students scrambled around and gather into 4 separate groups. The monkey climbing a tree group. The number 5 group. The smoke cloud group. And finally, the spider web made out of rope group. Naruto quickly realized he was put on the team that had the weaker warriors. He didn’t know whether to be excited because he was the most skilled warrior on the team, or to be mad because his team wasn’t what he wanted. “Alright. Now that you’re divided up into your groups. Get into groups of 4. And make sure you have one of each group member in your new groups. Understand?”

Everyone simultaneously said, “Yes, Sensei.”

“Good,” replied Kakashi with a smirk. Naruto quickly found Sasuke and his other best friend Sakura. She was in the spider web group. Now they only needed someone from the smoke cloud group. Sasuke pointed out a lone wolf in the back of the smoke cloud group. Sasuke motioned for him to join their group. He stared at him blankly for a moment and then nodded. He joined the group without saying a word. Naruto broke the silence by asking, “What’s your name dude?!” . . . To Be Continued www.sterlingcubreporter.com