Sterling Cub Reporter: December 2015

DECEMBER 2015

Stepping into the Spotlight Volume 2 • Issue 3

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

December 2015 • 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. Senior Sydney Wilson makes 3A All-State volleyball tournament team. “I’m really happy to get that honor.

It felt great to be voted on by all the 3A coaches, and it’s helped my recruitment process.”

Sophpomore Kenan Comley receives honorable mention quarterback and sophomore Blake Richter receives honorable mention punter.

Scholar’s Bowl team loses their first round of bracket play at Moundridge.

“High school is like an orange. At first it’s really bad, but once you get all that out of the way, it’s amazing.”

COOPER GALYON, a freshman at SHS, used this quote to explain his feelings coming into high school. “At the start of the year I was nervous, but as the year’s gone on, it’s been fantastic.”

MUSICAL MEMORIES “I got to play myself, which was just a funny, sort of big-headed guy,” said junior Max Fulbright, who played playwrite, director, and actor Lee Calhoun. “It took like five minutes to make my hair big, but it took about two days to get it back to normal.”

(Photo by Morgan Anderson)

ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO

Senior Julie Carroll, junior Will Dutton, and senior Holly Davis dance during the opening number of “Babes in Arms”, directed by Betsy Dutton. The musical recieved a standing ovation from students and members of the community. (Photo by Morgan Anderson)

2 • Sterling Cub Reporter • December 2015

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Sterling offering FBLA provides new robotics class opportunities DALLAS LACKEY Cub Reporter New classes are offered at SHS almost every year, but there has yet to be one about robotics, until this year.

A class completely dedicated to robotics has never been offered at SHS before.

“When I was approached with the idea of creating this class, I came up with several ideas,” teacher Todd Vogts said.

“The one that really stood out was robotics. I had a lot of interest in it, and when I pitched the idea to the class, they got really excited and bought in instantly.”

The class reacted mostly positive to the robotics idea, and eventually that was what was decided they would do.

“I feel like this is a great idea,” sophomore Lucas Weigel said. “This class will help us all with so much. I have already noticed that we have all had to really work through a lot of problems with our robots, and we will have to keep doing that as we get more robots.”

The class was a last minute addition to the schedule, and the focus of the class was determined by the students.

“I liked that we had free reign. It gave us a chance to pick something that is difficult and will challenge us,” sophomore Zach Schissler said.

While most classes you just go to, you learn, get homework, and move on, this class has more to it.

“This class is very unique,” Vogts said. “It is not only academic, but it also has a competitive aspect. Our goal is to get competition-ready this fall and figure out what other top teams are doing so we can be ready for years to come. It is very exciting and promising.”

While this class will help the students become more interactive and give a new avenue for competition, the students see the lifelong aspects of the class.

“I think it will help a lot as we go through life. We have already had a lot of issues that we have all worked together to get through. It has helped all of us with problem solving and working as a team,” Weigel said.

Even though the robots come with partial guides on how they supposed to be built, most of the process relies on the builder’s ability to solve problems, “This is helping them with patience, and the ability to see a project through to the end,” Vogts said. “Even if they don’t do something like this as a career, this is teaching stuff that could easily set them apart from other employees once they enter the workforce.”

As the class looks to the future, they seem to have nothing but positive thoughts.

“I really enjoy this class,” Schissler said. “It helps us with a lot more than people see, but we have all noticed improvement in areas other than just building robots.” www.sterlingcubreporter.com

KYLAH COMLEY Cub Reporter

The Sterling chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, or better known as FBLA, advised by Eric Wenzel, has big plans for this school year.

“FBLA is a program designed to help students become leaders and gain more knowledgable in the business world,” senior FBLA Vice President Jessica Ricker said.

“It benefits me personally, or anyone that wants to go into the business world, by preparing me for real world situations, such as a job interview. I actually have to fill out a job application, a resume and a cover letter, dress professionally and prepare as if it’s a real job interview.”

Senior Emma Lambert is the President of FBLA and plans to use the skills she is learning in the future.

“Being the President of FBLA comes with a lot of responsibility, but I enjoy running the meetings and being apart of something so important in the world after high school,” she said. “It gives me opportunities to learn in real world ways and experience things outside of a classroom setting.”

This year the 18 members of FBLA will compete in district and state competitions. They can enter into objective test events and skill events.

“Districts is like a practice round, everyone qualifies for state, and the top three from each event will qualify for nationals in Atlanta,” Wenzel said. “By doing FBLA you have the opportunity to meet a lot of business professionals, and a lot of business will come to state to find people that are up and coming and could potentially be interns at their businesses.”

Wenzel strongly believes that FBLA will help students in countless ways.

“I think FBLA really builds a student’s soft skills,” Wenzel said. “You learn about interacting and getting along with others to carry yourself in a professional way.”

Sterling, Ks (620) 278-2244 www.aldenst8.com December 2015 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 3

Alden State Bank - Rice County Tab 0629.ai

NEWS

(Photo by Alexias Rose) Junior Alexias Rose poses with the other four YMAD Rice County representatives, and their advisor, Maggie Southard. “I was nervous at first, but when I got to know them, we were able to work together to give back,” Rose said.

Sterling YMAD representative gives back ALEX VELIZ Cub Reporter Junior Alexias Rose is part of a program called YMAD, which stands for Youth Making A Difference, that allows young adults in high school to pick worthy causes and award grant money for such projects.

“We met once in September, and we read through all the grants that either the teachers or other community members submitted to us,” Rose said. “We read through all of the applications they sent to us, and then we decide whether or not they are worthy of the grant.”

Rose became a member thanks to Dan Whisler, a science teacher at SHS, and going through an interview with one of the adults in YMAD. “Maggie Southard came to the school and interviewed me after Mr. Whisler recommended me for the program,” Rose said. “She asked me questions about how I felt about teenagers’ experience in the world. You also had to have good grades along with you being seen as a good commu-

nity member.”

Whisler had a certain criteria in choosing a student who he would recommend to join YMAD. “From a class standpoint, you have to look at the level of responsibility and the level of interest in helping people,” Whisler said. “If people are willing to take the time and effort to do those things, it makes a difference, so when the opportunity came up, I thought of Alexias.”

Whisler is content with the effort Rose put into the grant-awarding program.

“I was very pleased with the work that Lexi has done, not just from a standpoint of someone who received one of the $100 scholarship, but even more how much work was put in,” he said. “I talked to the instructors, and they told me just how serious Lexi took it in a matter of looking at the applications and considering who should get them.”

Principal Dr. Bill Anderson puts into perspective how a program like YMAD affects a community.

“This program gives you the opportunity to have a better connection to

4 • Sterling Cub Reporter • December 2015

your community, and it shows you that there are bigger needs outside your own,” Anderson said. “YMAD is just an example of how both the community and the student benefit. It provides for the county, and also the student gets experience in helping others.”

FCCLA sponsor Carol Prather has also been awarded one of the $100 grants and has put it to use for her FCCLA organization.

“I have used the money to bring over Liz Willis as a stipend to pay her to come speak to us,” Prather said. “So when I wrote my grant, I showed that I wanted it to be about grit, perseverance, and the theme this year ‘I’m possible,’ and Liz will help with that.”

Rose feels that the opportunity of joining has helped her made a difference.

“I was happy that experience has helped me with my people skills, and it will obviously look good on college resume,” she said. “I think that us as teenagers or young adults are capable of achieving great things. It shouldn’t just be them who decide who gets the benefits. I think we get a say on who gets help and what is worth the cause.” www.sterlingcubreporter.com

(Photo by Lexi Rose) Scholars Bowl team members, from left, include freshman Andy Norez, senior Veronica Norez, freshman Morgan Anderson, junior Max Fulbright, senior Brayden Hosman, freshman Bryce Wilson, sophpomore Katie Comley, senior Jessica Thorpe, freshmen William Weiner and Jasmine Bates. Not pictured are senior Edward Weiner, junior Dallas Lackey, sophomore Alley Rowland, and freshman Jeremy Thorpe.

Scholars bowl provides competitive outlet ALEXIAS ROSE Cub Reporter The Black Bears are well-known for their competitive attitudes. One of the ways this is expressed is through Scholars Bowl, a “varsity sport for the mind.”

“The students are given an opportunity to show what they know, in a way that is different from just looking at their grades,” Scholars Bowl coach Dan Whisler said.

Members of Scholars Bowl meet every Wednesday morning before school to practice.

During practice, the students divide into two teams and go through a few practice rounds, like a normal competition.

This allows the students to strengthen their competitiveness and better their critical thinking skills.

“Since I have been in Scholars Bowl, I’ve learned a lot more, and my critical thinking skills definitely improved,” senior Jessica Thorpe said.

As well as the educational benefits, some members are able to approach Scholars Bowl from a more personal level and gain more personal benefits.

“It’s a very humbling experience for a lot of us. You know, we’re smart, but we don’t know everything,” Thorpe said.

Often times, academic events aren’t looked at to have much personal benefits.

However, for these members, common sense and trivial excellence aren’t their only achievements.

“It makes me thankful we can do more than one thing in Sterling. For some, Scholars Bowl is the only thing they have,” junior Edward Weiner said. “I like doing it. It’s a lot of fun for me, but I’m glad we have multiple things to go out for.”

Overall, the members of the Scholars Bowl team have

fun doing what they can to express themselves.

“For the 12 involved this year, it’s important,” Weiner said. “They go out, compete, and have fun. To me, that’s all that matters. I‘m excited to see what all this year brings.”

It’s your money and your tIme. Let us help you make the most of both.

Offering our Customers l

24-ATM at Bank Entrance

l

Mobile and Online Banking

l

Strong Ag Lending Expertise

l

Community-Minded Banking

The Lyons sTaTe Bank u

101 EAST MAIN | LYONS, KANSAS 67554 | 800.656.2313 | 620.257.2313 CLICK | LYONSSTATEBANK.COM - MOBILE | LYSB.MOBI

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Member

December 2015 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 5

FEATURE

Babes in Arms

(Photo by Morgan Anderson) Gus, Susie, Val and Bunny, portrayed by juniors Kyler Comley, Will Dutton and seniors Holly Davis and Kaci Wilson perform the song, “The Lady is a Tramp,” during SHS’s production of “Babes in Arms.”

Classic musical brings large crowds, laughs LINDSAY GILMORE Cub Reporter

S

terling High School has a history of award-winning musicals, and the cast and crew of this year’s production of the classic show “Babes in Arms” believes this year is no different.

Last year’s production of “Big River” earned 10 Jester awards. This left big shoes to fill.

“I chose the show because we had so many good girls that could sing, and ‘Big River’ last year was really a guy’s show. So we went with a show for girls this year, and it was one that could show their signing ability as well as their dancing capacity,” director Betsy Dutton said. “I wanted to build around the strength of our seniors. It was fun

to see Hannah featured in a dance, Mac did wonderful choreography and to add that tap dancing element was great. It was also great for Kaci, Holly and Julie to be featured in a solo role.”

Even with all of the main roles being held by first-time leads, the musical seemed as if there were seasoned veterans at the helm.

“I was really nervous to have a lead because I had never had that big of a role before. I knew that there would be a lot of pressure after losing the experienced seniors of last year,” said senior Holly Davis, who played main character Susie Ward. “I thought that every person in a first-time role really stepped up to the plate and did well.”

Supporting actors were the comedy show stealers of the production, with scenes like “The Deep North”, starring junior Max Fulbright, gathering the

6 • Sterling Cub Reporter • December 2015

most laughs from the crowd.

“My favorite part about my role was that he was supposed to be really arrogant,” said Fulbright, who portrayed writer Lee Calhoun. “I didn’t really have to act that much. As soon as I perfected the southern accent, I was good to go.”

Cast members believe that each night the show got a little bit better, with the best performance taking place on the final night, which was Nov. 14.

“I started to get a feel of when the audience would laugh, so I would know when to say my lines. My comedic timing and body language got better. I got the feeling of how she would react as a mother,” senior Jessica Ricker said.

Ricker was cast as antagonist Phyllis Owen, mother of famous child-actress Jennifer Owen. www.sterlingcubreporter.com

“I think that goes the same for everyone else in the musical,” she said.

“Everyone was just kind of like, ‘Oh, that’s how this is supposed to go.’”

The show “Babes in Arms” is notorious for complex dance numbers, but that’s nothing senior choreographers Mac Thrasher, Hannah Hendricks, Jody Gunther and Kylah Comley couldn’t handle.

They spent many hours of rehearsals practicing and teaching the dances to other members of the cast.

“Choreographing was really stressful and overwhelming at first, but in the end I really love getting to teach such great people and having a finished product we can all be proud of,” said Hendricks, who along with choreographing played the roll of Libby. “The other choreographers were a blast, as always. It’s a big responsibility, and we all just try to help each other as much as possible. I really look up to Mac, and I am so thankful for all that she has taught me.”

The 38 member cast of “Babes in Arms” was the biggest in Dutton’s history at SHS. “It was smelly backstage, and the food was gone within five seconds, but

(Photo by Lindsay Gilmore) Senior Julie Carrol, in the role of Terry, tries to get away from her love interest Gus, played by junior Kyler Comley. “It was a cool eperience getting to play with a bunch of your friends and getting to play the comedic roles where you have to get a lot of laughs yourself,” Comley said.

overall it was really nice to have all of the voices and dancing bodies around,” senior Baylee Maskil said. “The fact that there were 15 senior role models is really cool and sad. It was our last musical together, but I am glad that we got the chance to teach the younger kids the ropes. They picked everything up quickly.”

For some who were brand new to theater at SHS, putting together

the production was overwhelming at times, but an overall good experience for many of those involved.

“It was a lot of fun being around all of the other cast members and hanging out each evening with them. The late nights were doable because of all the fun,” freshman William Weiner said. “My favorite part of the musical was ‘The Deep North’ scene. That was hilarious.”

(Photo by Morgan Anderson) Senior Hannah Hendricks is lifted during the musical number “Imagine” by fellow seniors Mac Thrasher, Steven Hinshaw and sophomore Eli Miller. www.sterlingcubreporter.com

December 2015 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 7

As far as performing to their potential goes, Dutton believes the cast did quite well.

“I was pleased with the cast, as well as the audience’s reactions to them. It’s a fun show to put on, and I think our audience reacted well to the comedy of it,” she said.

Although there were some bad memories throughout the process, senior Brayden Hosman says there are more fun memories that will stick with him forever.

“My favorite memory from the show was when Phyllis and I were ‘making out’ behind the curtain and were exposed to the audience. It was a hilarious part to a comedic scene,” he said. “On the third night I heard a cackle from the audience, and I about started laughing on stage.”

After weeks of late nights, stressful rehearsals, and fun memories, the cast was happy with the way their show went.

“I believe the show was a great success. People from the school and community showed that they really enjoyed it,” Hosman said. “I think that this show was again another perfectly cast production.”

(Photo by Morgan Anderson) Senior Holly Davis, playing the role of Susie Ward, serenades Valentine White, played by junior Will Dutton.

There’s a SIMPLER WAY. AUTO | HOME | LIFE

You go to extremes to protect what matters most and I go to extremes to make insurance simple.

Contact me today.

Teresa Boeken, LUTCF 115 W Main Sterling, KS 67579 620-278-2572 teresa.boeken@fbfs.com

(Photo by Lindsay Gilmore) Junior Max Fulbright portrays Lee Calhoun, a cocky and overthe-top writer from the school of Angry Young Southerners.

8 • Sterling Cub Reporter • December 2015

The Teresa Boeken Agency

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Sterling High School students are:

 More confident  More knowledgeable  Informed on how much money to save  Understanding of what to spend money on  Better prepared to manage their financial futures

Thanks to

Sponsored by

Jacam is proud to support local education.

Consider making Jacam part of your career plans.

Visit www.jacam.com. www.sterlingcubreporter.com

December 2015 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 9

NEWS

Veterans Day brings community together KYLAH COMLEY Cub Reporter The Sterling community — including grade school, junior high, and high school students — gathered the morning of Nov. 11 at Sterling Lake to honor the veterans who served our country.

The grade school students sang “America the Beautiful” and “My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee.” The high school band also played “America the Beautiful,” “God Blessed the USA,” and the “Star Spangled Banner.” Then Taggart Wall, Sterling City Manager, presented the keynote address.

“Opportunities to honor others through speeches like this are always a bright spot in my duties,” he said. “Not being a veteran, I tried to give a citizen’s perspective of our admiration for those who work every day to protect our freedoms and the freedoms of others across the globe.”

Wall targeted his speech towards the families of those who served.

“Family is so important. Families deserve recognition for the important role they play in the system of military service,” he said. “Often, they are the front line supporters and those who also make sacrifices of their own. They, too, are part of why we enjoy the freedoms we have.”

One of the veterans that attended the ceremony was Cassandra Stevens, she served in the air force and the navy reserve, over the courage of 24 years.

“I have many stories and experiences that I could share through my years of serving,” she said. “That’s what I enjoy most about Veterans Day, being able to gather with fellow veterans and hear their stories.”

Stevens was able to travel the world while serving, visting places such as Italy and Pearl Harbor.

“Being in the Air Force and the Navy wasn’t all a bed of roses. I was in peacetime, and that’s why I had the opportunity to travel,” she said. “It was amazing to see all of the things that I got the chance to see. I’m incredibly grateful for that.”

Stevens believes Veterans Day means a little more than a 20 minute ceremony that school students are forced to go.

“I enjoyed the youth showing up to the ceremony,” she said. “I’m hoping that they absorbed something and will start understanding what Veterans Day means to us.”

Zimm’s Feedlot 1650 Ave R Sterling, KS 67579 (620) 278-2862 www.zimmsfeedlot.com

/Z

Since 1985

BRAND YOU CAN TRUST.

(Photo by Kylah Comley) Cassandra Stevens shows appreciation as Taggart Wall speaks about those who served and their familes.

Pat Wagler, Owner • Todd Zimmerman, Manager • Jim Scobee, Yard Manager

10 • Sterling Cub Reporter • December 2015

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

EDITORIAL

The real meaning of Christmas isn’t presents

Christmas time. A day you anxiously await all year. You wake up, get gifts from all your close relatives. You open present after present expecting each to be more extravagant than the last. Great, isn’t it?

Then, after it’s all done, you wait to see the look on your parents’ face as they open the few gifts you get them.

Regardless of what the gift is, they appreciate the thought you put into it.

Now which did you enjoy more? Opening all your presents? Or seeing your parents open the gifts you gave them?

Most of you would say you enjoy seeing your parents get gifts to show you appreciate everything they do for you. That’s admirable, but it isn’t believable.

If you were honest with yourself, you would probably say receiving gifts was better.

This is a common problem in our society nowadays.

Every year our parents preach to us about how the true meaning of Christmas is all about giving, yet few of us take that to heart.

According to ABC News, the United States is expected to spend the upwards of $460 million for christmas, which ends up equaling $700 per person. We understand in order to give you have to spend money, but $700 per person seems a bit extravagant.

Is it to the point now where people are willing to buy so many gifts only because they expect gifts in return?

Maybe there are still a few people out there who buy gifts to show appreciation to their brothers, fathers, significant others, or even cousins. However, the number of those individuals is dwindling, and it is our fear that the larger student body at Sterling High School falls into the category of preferring to receive than give.

We need to see the big picture here. This holiday season, we encourage you to do something most of us don’t do often enough. Give.

Whether it is giving your time, food to the food bank, or even doing something special on Christmas for someone close to you, and do so without any expectation of receiving something in return. Maybe then you will see the true meaning of Christmas.

—The Editorial Board 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.

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Worst man on Earth If you came up to me today and asked me what my opinion of Vladimir Putin was, I would most likely tell you that I really hate him.

I would think that most of you would not like Vladimir Putin, but my reason is more personal than that of yours because I was actually born in Ukraine.

First of all, Putin was born into a poor soviet

By ANNA TUSZYNSKI family in Leningrad. He lived in a communal apartment block with his family and three other families.

He spent his spare time hunting rats on the stairwell.

Something that not many people know about Putin is that he has two daughters named Mariya Putina and Tekaterina Putina. Both of his daughters were born in Eastern Germany in the mid 1980s. You may not know about them because he tries to hide them from society for their own safety.

I feel bad for the girls. They have a lunatic father. The girls will never have a normal life.

Putin also worked for the KGB for 16 years, spying for the Secret Police Agency in East Germany between 1975 and 1991. His primary job was to recruit foreigners from Dresden in the hope of sending them as undercover agents to the USA. Wow, what a surprise. Putin hates America. I mean think about it, he doesn’t even want any of us in his country at all.

In 2012, rumors surfaced that Russian spy Anna Chapman had been conducting an affair with Putin. Also Putin is alleged to have had a sexual liaison with is Alina Kabayeva, the former Olympic rhythmic gymnastics gold medalist.

Wow! I would consider Vladimir Putin as kind of a womanizer, and overall a bad guy. Wouldn’t you?

Sterling High School

CUB REPORTER

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

STAFF 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

December 2015 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 11

SPORTS Boys team looks to come together as family this year DALLAS LACKEY Cub Reporter

After a disappointing first round loss to Halstead last season during sub-state, the boys basketball team is ready to move on and begin a new season.

“I expect us all to work hard, improve and build strong relationships,” head coach Derek Schneider said.

With only two seniors graduating from last year, the experience for this season is sure to carry over.

“We have a lot of returning varsity experience,” Schneider said. “We are a lot stronger and more athletic. BFS has really helped us a lot.”

Starting a new year always leads to new expectations from the players and coaches.

“I think we have a good team,” sophomore Blake Richter said. “I think we have a great chance to make it to state.

We are all coming back with a year of experience under our belts, so I think we will be well prepared for what the season will bring us.”

Senior Steven Hinshaw agreed with Richter’s outlook.

“It’s going to be really fun,” Hinshaw said. “We will be more like a family this year, and we will have plenty of success. I’m excited, and I can tell everyone else is.”

This year’s team is really trying to focus on being not just a team but a family.

“I really like being with all of the players on a daily basis,” Schneider said. “I like to see us improve as players and build strong relationships with each other.”

While every team has a goal, usually involving winning, the boys team seems to rate their success on their relationships, just as much as their improvement.

“I’m really going to enjoy having fun with all my friends on the court,” Richter said. “It will be a lot of fun, and we will all get a lot better.”

(Photo by Alexias Rose) Junior Will Dutton plays defense on junior Brady Ochs on the first day of practice. “I’m looking forward to another chance at state,” Ochs said.

12 • Sterling Cub Reporter • December 2015

(Photo by Alexias Rose) Junior Emma Horsch takes her shot durring girls basketball practice.

Lady Bears plan for state ANNA TUSZYNKSI Cub Reporter As the 2015-2016 girls basketball season begins, the team’s main focus is winning a state championship. They are coming off of an overtime loss to the Lady Lions in the semifinals of sub-state last year.

“Our freshman year, we made it to state and got third,” senior point guard Kylah Comley said. “I know that we have the potential to make it to state, and not just make it there, but win the championship. I hate losing, and when I think about losing at sub-state last year, especially to Lyons, it makes me want to work even harder.”

Head coach Jill Rowland is excited for this year’s team and the potential they have.

“This year is the most seasoned senior group that I have had,” Rowland said. “I think that the girls are all really excited, but we have a lot of work to do before our first game.”

The Lady Bears face Berean Academy for their season opener on Dec. 4, but until then, they have a lot of preparing to do.

“We need to get in shape if we are wanting to get to state and win. We have a lot of conditioning planned and especially a lot of running,” Rowland said. “The girls are going to have to have a lot of positive energy, and, with the leadership of our seniors, I think we can do that.”

Rowland also enjoys the relationships she has with the girls, especially getting to see how much they improve.

“We are going to set high goals, and we are going to accomplish them,” Rowland said “Our JV team was undefeated last year, so we will build on that.”

Overall, Rowland believes her entire team has what it takes to go the distance, and the Lady Bears are already making plans to be in Hutchinson come next March.

“They are a special group, to be honest with you. And we refer to ourselves as a family,” Rowland said. “A lot of it can be attributed to the seniors and the way they bring our team together.” www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Wrestling team acquires new members for season KYLAH COMLEY Cub Reporter This year’s wrestling season is under way, with some new and repeating editions to this season’s participants.

One of the upperclassmen, senior Zane Nichols, has taken the initiative in recruiting new athletes, ranging from freshmen to juniors.

Nichols, a returning member of the wrestling team thought it was imperative to bring new people to the team.

“The pride you get from wrestling is amazing. When you win, it’s a result of everything that you have done, everything you have worked for,” Nichols said. “You can’t blame anyone else for mistakes, and that is why I wanted more people to join, to realize how great a sport wrestling is.”

Most athletes that have joined the wrestling team have participated in other sports and hope to transfer skills from other activities to wrestling and vice versa.

“I want to get better at football through wrestling,” freshman Dylan Stewart said. “It will teach me how to tackle more because that will help me in football and other sports.”

One of the biggest differences between wrestling from other sports is it isn’t a true team sport. Wrestles have no

(photo by Alex Veliz) Junior Derek Boeken and sophomore Javier Zimmerman grapple at wrestling practice.

one to rely upon except for themselves.

“It’s really rough because you have good days and slam some people, and you have bad days and get slammed,” junior Derek Boeken said. “I do it for myself. Yeah, you can do it to impress people, but you have to like it because it is the most toughest sport I have played, including football.”

A proud supporter of

USD 376

Academics, Activities and

the Cub Reporter

www.sterlingbulletin.com 620-278-2114 www.sterlingcubreporter.com

107 N. Broadway, Sterling December 2015 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 13

You don’t have to take the ACT!

JuCo

14 • Sterling Cub Reporter • December 2015

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

Brush up on your formulas

English

Four year

Reading

Find a test date that works for you!

What kind of college?

Math

DUH

DO YOU WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE?

START

Science

What’s your worst subject?

LOL NO

If you’re going into the workforce, keep reading.

Why are you reading this then?

Need some help deciding when, how, why, and where to study for the EVER SO IMPORTANT ACT? We’ve got you covered! Just follow this flowchart to figure out the key to that taunting 36.

HOW TO STUDY FOR THE ACT INFOGRAPHIC

Brush up on your formulas and trig functions.

Um, no. I can’t even make it through one English class.

Learn how to read a graph!

Science

Mentally prepare yourself for a test that will take just about four hours of your life

Congratulations!

You don’t have to take the ACT+ Writing.

Make sure you know how the process of elimintaion works.

Are you going to go into an English related field?

Study grammar rules.

Punctuation is key!

Uh-oh. You should probably invest the extra $25 and take the ACT+ Writing.

Yes, English is the most beautiful language.

It doesn’t hurt to take the test though!

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

December 2015 • Sterling Cub Reporter • 15

you deserve it!

EAT SOME FRIES!

Apply for your dream-job.

Also be sure to have a few references.

Make sure you have a resume.

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.

King, the Badger King

BY BEN PATTISON on the tree roots around him. Almost as Continued from November 2015 . . .

Not hesitating even a second Sir Levingston ran down the narrow pathway to a large jewel encrusted chest in the center of the chamber. When he opened the chest; however, he did not find gold.

Instead a large tunnel opened and a flood of water came into the central room, bringing with it a giant wearing a tiny golden crown.

Sir Levingston drew his broadsword, and retreated to higher ground, near the spot where his badger sat in a daze. It was at this moment Sir Levingston was struck with a brilliant idea.

He would throw the badger at the giant in order to stun him, and keep him occupied while Sir Levingston went in for the kill. He decided this was the best course of action, and without warning he picked up the badger and tossed it at the giant’s face. It was a direct hit, sending the tiny crown soaring across the chamber bouncing off walls, and eventually landing with a chink, in a pile of gold. With the tiny crown gone a spot was revealed on the giant’s head which looked less leathery than everywhere else.

Sir Levingston leapt off of the ledge he had been standing on and landed perfectly on the giant’s shoulder with all the grace one could muster from jumping onto a giant being that was attempting to kill you. True to his plan, the badger was clawing wildly at the giant’s giant features, keeping the giant occupied for Sir Levingston to valiantly scale it’s face.

Finally, Sir Levingston reached the top of the giant’s head, and after saying a prayer for his giant soul, he thrust his blade deep into the giant’s skull, rendering the beast dead.

After the giant’s lifeless body had entirely fallen to the ground. Sir Levingston and the badger walked over to the tiny crown, lying on a pile of gold. Levingston picked it up, and deposited it inside his pack.

He then took a couple handfuls of gold, and precious gems, putting them in a purse which he kept on his belt. The pair left the treasure cave with a haste, as it seemed as though the cavernous cave was filling slowly with water from the newly opened tunnel.

However, as they hurried out of this cave of treasure, Sir Levingston couldn’t help but feel that something was off. It occurred to him that he had no idea where they were. This around him was not the rolling hills of Gallahadra, nor was it the high mountains on the border of Gucmeir where they had found the treasure cave. No, it seemed that they were in an entirely new climate, area, and country, one not previously explored by any Cartographer.

This was not the entrance to the Treasure cave they had gone through. In fact, they seemed to be in a different part of the world entirely. Instead of the hilly grassland and cascading mountains they had previously met with, they were now in an incredibly flat forest with ground so flat that a ball would not roll and trees so thick that Sir Levingston had to light a torch to see his path.

Despite the fact that the ground was flatter than the broadside of his house, which was admittedly not that flat, he still managed to trip 16 • Sterling Cub Reporter • December 2015

though they were reaching out to grab our brave Sir Levingston. He and the badger, walked for what seemed like hours, having left his horse outside the cave, back in Gallahadra.

Until finally, they saw a light! They proceeded cautiously towards what seemed to be a clearing, and what was almost certainly a trap.

As they entered the clearing, the strangest feeling came over Sir Levingston. A feeling like he was being watched. His suspicions were quickly affirmed when an arrow flew from the tree line and struck his left pauldron, burying the arrow head deep into his shoulder. He spun around, trying to locate the assailant, then came to his senses and shut his helmet. His shoulder bled profusely, coming out of and down his pauldron in a slow trickle.

Just as he put his helmet down, another arrow came from the forest, faster than any living thing Sir Levingston had ever seen. Bewildered as to where this hidden assassin was, he ran back to the tree line, and drew his sword from the now blood-dripping sheath at his side. Getting low to the ground and putting his cloak over his armor, he watched the clearing.

Sir Levingston pulled the arrow from his shoulder, with an unsatisfactory ping. He thought for sure he could hear something else however. Slowly he turned around and saw his badger staring him in the face, snarling. Behind his badger was a cloaked woman holding a drawn bow to his neck.

Reacting quickly, Sir Levingston kicked one of the woman’s legs, knocking her off balance, and hacked wildly at the bow. His sword, slippery from his own blood flew from his hands, knocking into a gravestone. All of this only served to sever the tip of the arrow from the rest, and also to anger his former badger, who then lunged at Sir Levingston. He screamed, as the badger started to rip the flesh from his unprotected hands, and the woman shot him with the bow.

The tipless arrow sank deep into Sir Levingston’s neck, hitting the back of his breastplate and sending a shower of blood cascading over the surrounding forest. Sir Levingston gasped for breath, only to have it escape through the newly opened hole in his throat.

His blood felt icy, and he began to see everything in red. He gazed around in a daze, losing air quick, and blood even quicker. He saw his killers, glistening in the sun.

The grass immediately surrounding his body was slowly turning a dark color from his wounds, the trees and his assailants dripped with his life force. Then he died, and thus was concluded Sir Levingston’s second glorious quest. The Quest for the Sword of Righteous and Holy Redemption. Due to Sir Levingston’s failure, the small country of Gallahadra was completely overrun by the undead legions, everyone Sir Levingston knew died a fiery and painful death at the hands of the very creatures Sir Levingston pledged to stop.

His name was forgotten, and no one ever cared to ask what the final end of Sir Levingston really was. www.sterlingcubreporter.com