Sterling Cub Reporter: January 2017

CUB REPORTER Sterling High School | Volume 3 | Issue 4 | Jan. 2017

Getting to know Clelia McCrory Pg. 4

Bears set pace for season Pg. 12

‘Pinning’ it on success

Sterling High School |

Pg. 14

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

| Jan. 2017

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EDITORIAL

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

STAFF EDITORS: • Dallas Lackey • Lexi Rose REPORTERS: • Will Dutton • Lindsay Gilmore • McKiah San Miguel ADVISER: • Todd Vogts GRAPHIC ARTISTS: • SHS Graphic Design Class ADVERTISING SALES: • Sterling Publications Staff

POLICIES 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 journalism@usd376.com. All letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will not be printed. All letters subject to editing for legal, grammatical and factual reasons.

ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO Senior Maddie Thrasher shoots a free throw during the Lady Black Bears’ Dec. 13 game against the Nickerson Panthers. The Lady Bears defeated the Panthers, 57-28.

(Photo by Abby Riffel)

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Party lines bring us down With President-Elect Donald Trump being inaugurated this month, The Cub Reporter Staff feels there is something we need to address. This is not a bashing, nor a praising, of anyone. It is simply something that needs to be said.

In today’s society, there seem to be more differences and fights than ever, most of them coming in light of the election of Trump, but many of them are for what? A true belief in the Second Amendment? A real concern for the well-being of blacks?

We think it’s something quite different — party lines.

People so often believe they are either a conservative or a liberal. The conservatives hate the liberals, and the liberals hate the conservatives.

No matter what and individual person’s views, they feel they must align with one side.

The problem is the political party system is not a pass-fail course. You don’t have to agree with all or nothing.

You can be a gun-loving liberal, just like you can be a gay conservative.

So many people are getting into fights, and people are ending up injured or dead — all because no one under-

stands those facts.

With high school being a time in our lives when we are supposed to find ourselves and learn about ourselves, The Cub Reporter Staff encourages you to choose your party wisely, or don’t choose at all if you would like.

If you happen to choose a party and disagree with one thing that the party thinks, it does not mean that you are wrong. Everyone has different opinions.

You don’t have to agree with every ideal of the party you associate yourself with, and not everyone has to agree with your ideals.

As Americans we are entitled to our own opinions and views, but living in rural Kansas can take some perspective out of the equation.

We have to stop letting party lines and our stubborn ways define our problems. The government needs to compromise, but the people have to start the trend.

Next time you find yourself in an argument about politics, take a second to remind yourself of those things.

— For the Editorial Board

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

“Science is awesome.

Sometimes it works out the way you plan, and sometimes it doesn’t.”

SCIENCE TEACHER WENDY CALDERWOOD shares why she decided to wear a lab coat to school last semester.

80 70 Freshman Cade Wilkey and senior Dallas Lackey both were injured during the Kingman Tournament.

60 50 40 30 20

Junior Taya Wilson sings a solo during jazz night.

Wilson sang part of “I’m still standing” by Elton John.

Band brings seasonal joy

10 0 (Photo by Abby Riffel) Clarinet players junior Taylor Petz, junior Camille Schweizer, and senior Sierra Emery perform during the annual Christmas Band Concert in the Sterling High School Theatre. The concert showcased a multitude of groups performing, including the jazz and concert bands.

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| Jan. 2017

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NEWS

McCrory thankful for midlife move Reporter

Will Dutton

O

ver a decade of hard work has resulted in countless students prepared for careers, $72 million raised, and annual trips to national parks. This is just the start of defining Clelia McCrory, ESSDACK Career Education and Kansas Education by Design State Director.

Despite all of her accomplishments, at one time only two superintendents believed McCrory could help their school districts. In particular, Sterling Superintendent Fred Dierksen gave her a job during a time when she needed one the most.

“This town is absolutely amazing. Everybody working together in the sandbox to take and make something great,” McCrory said.

McCrory had looked hard for a job in the summer of 2003 before, what she likened to divine intervention, changed the complexion of her future.

“I just happened to be in the right place when he came in,” McCrory said.

While sitting down and helping Carol Prather write a grant for her FACS class, Dierksen came knocking at the door.

“He came to talk to Mrs. Prather about the specifics of her contract I believe,” McCrory said.

After a brief meeting, she had earned new employment. She said Dierksen was wondering what she was doing there. She offered him some insight, and he offered her a one-year trial contract as a grant writer for Sterling High School.

“I would have never guessed an appointment with Mrs. Prather would lead to finding a new job that very day,” McCrory said.

The first year had McCrory busy with work for the high school as well as the district’s grade school.

“When I came to Sterling they had nothing vocationally funded. I helped them to get everything vocationally funded,” McCrory said.

She also wrote grants of $50,000 for both the reading and

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math departments at Sterling grade school, as well as a $150,000 technology-rich classroom grant.

Clelia McCrory “When I first started, I had a 183-day contract, just like Part One of a Two-Part series. teachers. I was told the job would probably not extend beyond that” McCrory said.

After first being hired by Dierksen and Bob King of Pretty Prairie to help write grants for their school’s tech programs, the following year the two men and ESSDACK Director Dr. Mike Cook collaborated, creating a new job for McCrory.

“My job was made on a napkin between two superintendents and Dr. Cook at ESSDACK at the Dutch Kitchen,” she said.

Then came state vocational money to set up Career and Technical Education Pathway programs.

“At the beginning, we got Keith Patterson’s construction pathway approved. We got Carol Prather’s consumer science, and then we got the computer technology pathway,” McCrory said.

In exchange for setting up vocational tracks with classes offered, Kansas schools get additional funds.

“We’ve continued to grow pathways. We started with three, and now we are up to nine at Sterling. And next year we will add health science,” McCrory said.

McCrory’s work over the years has expanded to a pretty sizable chunk of Kansas public schools.

“I work with about a third of the state on their career and tech-ed pathways. Now, more on a consulting basis, I don’t actually do their pathway applications like I do Sterling,” she said.

As the times have changed so has her work. She now works year-round with a built-in two week vacation.

“You have to understand when I first started doing grants, I did the first few grants with dial-up Internet,” McCrory said.

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FUN & GAMES Each and every year the seniors of SHS respond to being bombarded with questions, buzzwords, and advice on everything they need to do in order to prepare for the next step: college. So, seniors, as your final year as a Black Bear begins, see how quickly you can get a “Bingo!”

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Editor @dallyel

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FAFSA

Apply for a school

Do you have any ideas for your senior project?

Senior Prank

Are you gonna party all the time?

What’re you planning to major in?

Join the military

Feel the Senioritis

Will you two last through college?

Mom, I’m 18.

Will you live on campus?

Your mother cries

You cry

You can not go to KU if you like K-State

Apply for any scholarships?

Your dad tells you to get a job

C’s get degrees, dude!

Countdown the days to g-day

You pull the seniority card

Graduate

What did you get on your ACT?

Always have a D.D!

Do you have a Roommate yet?

Take Senior Pictures

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| Jan. 2017

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Cruising Careers NEWS

New faculty member showcases tools to help students’ futures Lindsay Gilmore

With the retirement of long-time counselor Cheryl DeWerff last spring, USD 376 brought in former Dean of Students at Sterling College, Tina Wohler, to fill the position.

Students looked forward to having Wohler in the building, and they seem to be pleased with what she has been doing as a member of the Sterling High School staff.

“It’s good having her here because she tries to be connected to the students,” senior Emma Horsch said. “It makes it easier for us to go to her when we need her. I love having her here.”

Principal Bill Anderson has seen great strides made in a positive direction since Wohler arrived and thinks that having her

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“I am so grateful for the addition of Mrs. Wohler to our school district. She brings a great background in higher education, which supports our need for helping students plan for current classes and for making the transition out of our building,” he said. “I am also pleased with how much she is passionate about making connections with students and helping them navigate through all the changes and challenges they experience.”

Wohler herself has found the transition from college to high school to be enjoyable.

“I love working with the students. I don’t have as many meetings and things like that,” she said. “I have more direct contact with students. That is what I’m really enjoying. I’m not in charge of a lot of areas anymore. I can focus on these kids and their futures. Helping them make plans and set up college visits and plan for their futures is amazing.”

Besides having more contact with students than in the past, Wohler has also had the opportunity to present Career Cruising, a program designed to use interest inventories to help students choose a career path, to seventh through 12th graders during the first semester.

“I think the big point is that they can go in and find out what careers would fit their interests and look into those careers more. Some of those careers they may have never even thought about,” she said. “Career Cruising is a complete college and career planning program that is free for all Sterling Junior and Senior High students. The user-friendly interface helps students satisfy five key career guidance needs like self-assessment, career exploration, post-secondary education planning, work search and portfolio development.”

According to Wohler, students are all being given new opportunities during the second semester as well.

“I think in March we are going to have a half-day session for all students to help them plan for college and figure out what it’s going to take for them. That’s something we are going to do with the help of Heather Oden and Light Up the Dark,” she said.

“I’m also planning on meeting with every student in the junior high and high school and their parents by the end of February or beginning of March. In January, we also have an ability profiler that we are going to give the juniors and seniors, and that is going to help them find out what they’re stronger in and if that matches up with the careers that they are interested in.”

Par tyin’ around at SHS Seminar festivities provide outlets for bonding, relaxation McKiah San Miguel Throughout Sterling High School it has become more popular for the students and staff to host seminar parties. Even though they’re not a part of the curriculum, they happen frequently.

“I enjoy taking some time off from school work and having some good food with good people in my seminar,” sophomore Grace Rowland said.

While the parties are a time of enjoyment, some teachers have enforced strict rules, guaranteeing that work is still being done.

“Our seminar teacher made a rule that if we do not start to clean up our mess we will no longer be allowed to have our parties,” Rowland said.

To some, schoolwork is weight on their shoulders. Being able to relax and set time aside is enjoyable for stressed students.

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“During seminar we are given a chance to have some freedom and have a more relaxed atmosphere,” sophomore Kaylie Zimmerman said.

While the parties are a growing trend, only a small number of seminars have decided against them.

“In my seminar, our teacher would rather have us focus on getting our school work done because it is more of a priority than having fun,” sophomore Gage Farney said.

For most seminars, having these parties can ensure quality time to bond with fellow students and teachers and bring seminars together.

“I really enjoy the parties because they bring the whole seminar closer together, and we get to know each other better,” freshman Abby Riffel said.

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FEATURE

(Photo by Lexi Rose) Senior Brandon Frederick receives a hug from Food Service Aid Joyce Swofford. “She always has a hug for you,” Frederick says. “Joyce is always giving out hugs. She’s one of the kindest and most caring people I know.”

Swofford brings smiles, joy to school Lexi Rose

W

alking through the lunch line, you’ll be greeted by many smiling faces, one of which is Joyce Swofford.

“Most of the time when I see her she’s talking to people and smiling,” junior Elijah Miller said.

Swofford serves as the Food Service Aid, or “Salad Bar Police” as some call her. Standing at the end of the salad bar, Swofford monitors what students put on their trays, making sure they’re getting the right amount of food each day.

“If I get a bunch of mandarin oranges, she’ll get onto me and tell me not to take so many,” senior Joel White said.

While it may seem like her job is one that needs to be approached with a sort of firmness, Swofford has an undeniable

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Editor @lexxi_rosse rapport with the students.

“She’s nice, kind and approachable,” sophomore Jacob Pieplow said. “She’s the kind of person that’ll ask, ‘Hey, how’re you doing?’, and actually want to know, rather than it be just in passing.”

Having a heart that yearns to serve, Swofford has worked for this community for more than 15 years.

“I’ve been at Sterling High for five years,” she said. “Before that I drove the vo-tech bus for five years, and I also drove a deaf boy that lived here to Salina for seven years.”

Because of her experience and her enthusiasm to serve people, Swofford has made many positive impressions.

(Photos by Lexi Rose) Above: Cooks Susan Durham, Bonnie Cain, and Jenni Wyman gather around Swofford. “I call us, ‘The Ladies In Crime,’” Swofford said. “I really enjoy working with these wonderful women.”

Left: Swofford cleans the kitchen bathroom. “If the ladies need something done and they’re too busy to do it, then I’ll do it for them,” Swofford said. “That’s how it always is.”

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“Anytime you have good, quality adults around our kids, it’s always really positive,” Principal Bill Anderson said. “She’s really happy and funny, and she definitely brings a pretty interesting sort of uniqueness to our school.”

Due to her persistent work ethic and fun personality, Swofford makes each of her coworkers’ job more enjoyable and easier to do.

“She’s a great worker,” cook Susan Durham said. “She likes to have fun while she gets her job done. There really never is a dull moment with her.”

Liking the students she works around helps make her job enjoyable too.

“My favorite part about this job is the kids,” she said. “I think we have the nicest kids anybody could ask for here in our school.”

Many students can reciprocate the positive feelings.

“I’ve known Joyce since freshman year,” senior Brandon Frederick said. “She makes your day better, just by seeing her face. She’s like a mother and a grandmother to all of us high school kids.”

Looking past the smiling face and kind words, Frederick believes Swofford truly is a caring woman.

“I think she cares about the people that show her respect.

One time I told her about this book series I really like and she actually checked one of them out and read it. She really is a genuine lady.”

Along with church, her job, and books, music is high on Swofford’s list of things she enjoys.

“I like rock and roll and fast-paced music,” Swofford said. “I’d been after Mr. Brownlee for a while to play a Queen song. The band finally played ‘Fat Bottom Girls’ for me, and it was amazing.”

Not only does Swofford’s job keep her amused, it also keeps her in shape.

“At my age, it keeps me active,” Swofford said. “If I didn’t have church and my job, I’d probably be a recluse, stuck in a book all the time.”

Swofford believes a combination of these things helps keep her young.

“I’m 78 years old, and I think I’m healthier than a lot of people my age,” she said.

Swofford’s impeccable personality is guaranteed to leave lasting impressions on many.

“I think Joyce has done a lot for this school. We really appreciate her,” Miller said. “She never fails to put a smile on many of our faces.”

(Photo by Lexi Rose) Cain, Wyman and Durham prepare lunch trays and work alongside Swofford. “She’s very funny and is a good worker,” Durham said. “She’s smiling and happy most of the time.”

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(Photo by Lexi Rose) Swofford rinses and gathers silverware after lunch is finished. “I take care of the spoons, the forks and the trash. That’s my job,” she said.

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| Jan. 2017 11

SPORTS

Girls, boys see early success on hardwood Will Dutton The high school basketball season is underway for both the Lady Bears’ and Black Bears’ basketball teams. Both teams have amassed 4-1 records to start the season, but they’ve done so in very different styles from each other.

“We’ve been pretty happy with what we’ve been doing basketball-wise, and energy-wise we’ve been very pleased with what we’re doing with our positive energy among all team members,” eighth year Black Bear Head Coach Derek Schneider said.

After suffering a season-opening loss at Hillsboro, the boys’ team has won four straight games, including a Kingman Invitational Championship against Haven.

“We’ve pushed the tempo well, which has led to some easy buckets. Our helpside defense has been very solid,” Schneider said. “But really, our team energy has been very strong. I’ve been happy watching everybody encourage each other and find their spot on the team, even when they’re not on the floor.”

Senior Kyler Comley said he has had a blast playing with his team and agrees with Schneider.

“This team is different because we have all been playing together since grade school playground days. We just know each other so well,” he said. “Most teams don’t get to share that bond because they’re so spread out in age groups. We’re tighter than most.”

Junior Lucas Briar received the Most Inspirational Player award, given at the conclusion of the Kingman Invitational Tournament. He has led the Black Bears in scoring every game, most notably with a 37-point outing against Nickerson, but it has been the other players who have really competed in some new and previously uncertain roles.

“Our maturity level has been high in some tough situations.

We’ve been very happy with the way different people have stepped into different roles than they may have expected to be in, in the beginning of the season,” Schneider said.

Girls’ coach Jill Rowland has been pleasantly surprised with her team’s efforts so far, as well.

“I thought at times we might struggle scoring, yet we put up 69 points against Sunrise. We’ve shot the three ball maybe better than I had expected us to. We’ll take those type of performances any day,” Rowland said.

Perhaps taking on the personality of their coach, the Lady Bears have scrapped their way through some adversity.

“I will say that our first night was rough, and I think as we went on, we definitely got better,” Rowland said.

In their only defeat against a ranked Kingman team, the Lady Bears struggled to rebound.

“Our rebounding is probably the thing that worries me the most. We’ve got to get a lot more physical and be willing to chase some boards a little harder than we’ve done,” Rowland said.

The players are aware of the departures from last year’s ex-

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Reporter @DuttonWill

(Photo by Taya Wilson) Junior shooting forward Lucas Briar skies through the air as he attempts a mid-range jump shot against the Nickerson Panthers on Dec. 13 in Sterling during the home opener. The Bears went on to defeat their former CKL rivals, 71-60.

ceptional season.

“We graduated several great players last season. We’re trying to figure out how to leave a legacy in our own special way,” sophomore Grace Rowland said.

Both teams face tough upcoming games in the Heart of America/Central Prairie League Showdown and in match-ups against Moundridge, a school of strong basketball tradition, immediately following Christmas break.

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SPORTS

Two towns, one team Persistence pays off for Sterling wrestlers Lexi Rose For more than three years, Sterling High School has had a cooperative agreement, or co-op, with the Nickerson High School wrestling team. This year, two students from Sterling, senior Derek Boeken and sophomore Dylan Stewart, travel to Nickerson everyday for practice.

“Technically, we are Sterling still even when we’re playing for Nickerson,” Boeken said. “We go to all of Nickerson’s tournaments, and then represent Sterling as the competitions get more serious.”

According to Boeken, wrestling has provided many outlets for learning.

“I wrestle so I’ll be tough,” Boeken said. “You have to be competitive, and you have to have the physical drive.”

Despite what others may think, Boeken views the sport in a positive light.

“There’s a lot more to it than what you see,” he said. “Wrestling has helped a lot with evading and defending myself.”

As it may seem, wrestling is not for the faint of heart.

“You have to be okay with having another man that close to you,” Boeken said. “Sometimes you lose, and even though it’s super frustrating, you have to get back up and continue to fight hard.”

To these two, wrestling helps develop persistence, and persistence can pay off with success.

“After you win, you get your arm raised in front of everyone, and being acknowledged like that is an amazing feeling,” Stewart said.

Winning a match can feel good, but, according to Boeken,

Editor @lexxi_rosse winning against the odds is more rewarding.

“A kid from Hesston got first at a tournament. Then, when I wrestled him, I beat him,” he said. “I was so pumped. He was really strong, and he knew what he was doing. Knowing that I could get past the guy who went to state last year was awesome.”

The skills learned from wrestling can be applied to life.

“Overall, I think wrestling is about self discipline,” Boeken said. “It’s not a sport that is dependent on teammates.”

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(Photo by Lexi Rose) Senior Derek Boeken and sophomore Dylan Stewart wrestle for both Sterling and Nickerson wrestling teams. “I like that we have a co-op with Nickerson because it allows me to do the sport I love and still go to school where I want to,” Boeken said.

OPINIONS

Read the magazine for news, not mistakes I have been lucky enough to be a member of the Cub Reporter magazine staff for three of my four years in high school, and I’m even more lucky to call myself an editor this year.

This publication has blessed me with many opportunities, such as going to state contests and attending different conventions all over Kansas. It has also opened my eyes to the love I have for journalism and inspired me to act upon that love for the next chapter of my life.

However, people take our magazine for granted. After almost every issue that has been put out since we started the magazine my sophomore year, I hear someone say, “I only read it to find mess ups.”

People come to me with spelling and grammar issues and complaints after every issue. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in no way saying I don’t like hearing criticism. I love criticism when it comes to my

publication. I am in full support of doing anything I can to make my writing or this publication better.

Nevertheless, I don’t like when people read the product we create solely to pick it apart. I believe the magazine we journalists labor over should be read because students want to read about the happenings of our school.

I want people to understand that the journalism life is not an easy one. It’s one of the few classes that requires your work to be on display for everyone to see. It’s impossible to make a perfect magazine, but that does not make it okay to read our magazine just to tear it down.

As for the people who are reading this column just to catch me misspelling a word or put an unnecessary comma, I encourage you to pick up a magazine application for next year and try to make the perfect magazine that you obviously want.

COLUMN BY DALLAS LACKEY @DallyEL

6th Man support needs to continue to improve

COLUMN BY MCKIAH SAN MIGUEL @Kiiiaaahhh

Over the years, our student section has seen a gradual rise in the amount of effort, people and school spirit. We need to have more school spirit and support for our Black Bears.

During our football season there was rarely a “big” student section with the exception of a few “big” games, such as our homecoming game. Although there wasn’t a designated area for our student section during football season, our student body should’ve come and supported the Black Bears.

I believe we should have had a better student section during football, and as a cheerleader, it was frustrating to cheer to a section of roughly 10 people at each game. All the students who participated gave a great amount of effort, but there is more to the high school than them.

As basketball season progresses, our student section has undeniably been improving. The first home basketball game this year had a huge improvement from

last season’s first home game. I was very impressed about the amount of students that showed up. The student body followed through with the theme that was established and the amount of effort given without the influence from cheerleaders for the game was great. A section like this is what Sterling High needs more of in years to come.

While it is steadily growing, it needs to continue. Last year, Eric Wenzel and his marketing class motivated students with free T-shirts launched from a T-shirt cannon. Although giving out T-shirts is great, students need to make sure they are attending to support the team, not themselves.

The purpose behind the student section is to cheer on the Black Bears and show them our support, win or lose.

If we continue to make this a focus, we can expect to have an equal or better quality of a student section in years to come.

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| Jan. 2017 15

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.

A Magical Night

BY ALLEY ROWLAND

“Kaia, don’t spend too long outside, okay?”

“Okay, Mom.” Kaia ran out of the door, glass jar clutched in her delicate fingers. The night was warm, promising a good harvest. She skipped happily down the little cobblestone pathway to her favorite spot, under an oak tree by the edge of the peaceful little pond. She sank into the familiar nook in the roots and waited eagerly.

The night swept in, and with it the nighttime animals. Chirping cicadas sang a harsh melody, while the swishing of owl wings and the leaping of hungry trout added a sweet harmony. Suddenly a brief flash of light entered Kaia’s vision, and she sprang up eagerly. It had disappeared, but Kaia knew that there would be more.

As is on cue, dozens of little lights burst into life, tiny fires against a backdrop of warm darkness. Her dress swished as she pranced through the flowers, swiping at her prey. Finally she managed to trap one in her hand, and giggled as it crawled to the tip of her finger and flew away, and was lost in the other lights.

She continued to catch them in her hand, content to let them free. But suddenly she gasped. A light floated toward her, illuminating and magnificent. None of the other lights matched this one’s size of grandeur, and Kaia knew this one was special. She crept slowly toward it, as not to frighten it away. It paid her no heed, floating along peacefully until Kaia snagged it with her glass jar and slammed the lid.

Kaia gazed in awe as its glow brightened almost to the point where she had to look away. It flew frantically around the jar, as if trying to find a way out. She brought her face closer and recoiled, stifling a small scream.

No cute lightning bug stared back at her. A little human-like figure glared at her with glowing yellow eyes, slamming its tiny fingers against the glass. Its wings were almost transparent, and they were moving so fast that all Kaia could see was a constant blur. She examined the creature until it floated to the bottom of the jar, exhausted.

She tapped lightly on the grass, but the creature didn’t rise. Frowning, she opened the lid and peered in, hoping she hadn’t killed it by accident. Suddenly the creature came to life, flying straight towards the open top, and Kaia barely had time to slam the lid back on. It crashed to the bottom, stunned, and Kaia was concerned.

“Are you okay?” she asked. The creature whipped its head to look up at her, and it appeared to have an expression of shock. It hesitated, then slowly nodded.

16

Kaia gasped softly. She had never known a firefly to be able to communicate, and the thought excited her.

“Are you a firefly?” She questioned. The creature shook its head.

She frowned. “What are you then?”

The creature pointed to its wings, shaped like a butterflies. When it saw her blank look its body intensified the glow, and little light particles shed from its body like a snake sheds skin. Suddenly she understood.

“Are you… a fairy?”

The fairy smiled, nodding its head. Kaia squealed with delight, and the fairy clamped its hands to its ears. “Sorry” she apologized.

“I’ve never met a real fairy before. I thought they didn’t exist.”

The fairy looked offended, it’s little mouth gasping like a fish. She giggled. “Do you have a name?”

The fairy nodded.

“Can you tell me?”

The fairy hesitated, then let out a series of rapid, high pitched squeaks.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” The fairy’s wings drooped in disappointment. Kaia thought for a second. “What if I gave you a name? Just something I can call you?” The fairy shrugged, which Kaia assumed was a yes.

Kaia thought hard. She needed the perfect name, one that was catchy but not boring…

“How about...Sparky?”

The fairy perked up at this and nodded vigorously. She giggled as he did a flip. She glanced up as more lights flickered in the darkness.

Sparky gazed as a group of bright lights flew past.

Sadness and guilt wormed a hole in her heart. She gazed sadly at the trapped fairy. “I’m sorry I caught you. Do you want out?”

Sparky nodded his head. She sighed sadly. “Okay, just a minute.”

She struggled with the lid she had twisted so tightly, and when it finally came off with a pop Sparky flew like a bullet into the night.

She stood still for a few minutes in disappointment. She wished Sparky would have stayed and played with her a little while longer.

Downcast she turned toward the house, but squeaking made her jump joyfully. Sparky landed on her shoulder, and his friends clung to various parts of her body as she playfully romped through the cool grass.

And she was happier than she had ever been before.