Sterling Cub Reporter: January 2018

CUB REPORTER Sterling High School | Volume 4 | Issue 4 | January 2018

A CHEERFUL SPIRIT Pg. 8

New Leadership For Cheer Team Pg. 4

New Year’s Resolutions

Winter Play Sneak Peak

Pg. 12

Pg. 7

Sterling High School |

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| January 2018

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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

STAFF EDITORS: • McKiah San Miguel • Grace Rowland REPORTERS: • Morgan Anderson • Natalie Nichols • Andy Norez • Taya Wilson • Kaylie Zimmerman 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 Freshman Hannah Bennett poses in her competitive cheer outfit, featured in this issue.

(Photo by McKiah San Miguel)

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To the Editorial Board, Sterling High School does NOT rely on three sport athletes to “support and enhance our academic and sport curricula.”

My first question to the Editorial Board in response to this month’s editorial called “Stay active, student athletes” is this; why should I waste my time at basketball practice, something I don’t enjoy, when I could be making money or practicing for the things I do like, or even hanging out with my friends, why should I waste my time and be miserable so I can play C team? Dear editorial board, please realize just because you like basketball doesn’t mean everyone else has too. I am here to speak for the student body of Sterling High School and we say “let us do what we enjoy without being called a coward, lazy, or selfish.” Students last year won state titles for forensics, but did not do Debate. This is one of many amazing things that people from this school did but were not appreciated because even though no one will say it; we hold football, volleyball, basketball, and track above all else.

Point number two. Let’s say I do join basketball, as said before I don’t enjoy it, but somehow this article makes me join, why would I try extra hard to be at practice if I don’t want to be there? Why should I spend my time because “we don’t have the numbers to risk athletes not going out for the activities.”

Point number three. “Three sport athletes have an unselfish attitude toward all sports, even the ones they dislike, but single athletes have a more selfish attitude ‘all about me and what I’m good at’ attitude.

Whereas they could have a “what will benefit my team’ attitude.” Let’s break this down, not all three sport athletes have an unselfish attitude towards all sports. It seems no one cares about sports like cross-country, tennis, wrestling, softball, or golf. The second part of this quote states that a single sport athlete has a more selfish attitude “all about me and what I’m good at” attitude. First some people aren’t mentally or physically healthy enough to play. Do you also realise some people need jobs? There are people at Sterling High that need jobs so they can help support their families. That is way more noble and selfless than playing a school sport just so that the team can have the numbers.

Point number four, the editorial board really chose the wrong month to publish the article “Stay active, student athletes” because not only is the cover someone who isn’t playing a winter sport to work, but the feature article is dedicated to the kids of Sterling High who not only hve a job, but who aren’t playing winter sports because of it, thus making these non-three sports ath-

letes, selfish, and lazy. Why is the editorial contradicting and insulting the feature?

Are all of the people on the Editorial Board in both debate and forensics? If not how could you be so selfish? Are all of you guys in Scholar’s Bowl? If not, the team could really benefit from you being there, why does it matter if you like it or not, don’t be selfish, you need to think about the team.

What about cheerleading? Did everyone try out for that? What about the winter and spring plays? The recent article written by the Sterling High Cub Reporter was not only hypocritical, but selfish in its own way, because you are asking people to give up their free time so you can have more people on the basketball team.

To the students at Sterling High School, don’t let people tell you that you are selfish because you don’t play three sports, do what you want. Would you rather look back at high school and hate yourself for wasting time on a sport that made you miserable or realize you had a great time because you did what you wanted and felt comfortable doing it. You are your own person and you are free to do what makes you happy.

-Lydia Miller Dear Editorial Board, It has recently been brought to my attention that a large number of the student body is upset over the recent editorial. In my own opinion, the editorial board has the ability to express their own opinion; as stated by the first amendment in the constitution of the United States, freedom of speech and press. Therefore, media, also known as the press, has the ability to express their opinion. Now, whether or not viewers agree with that opinion, the writer has no control over.

You may have realized that the purpose of this letter is not to put down the Editorial Board, but rather commend you for your courage to publish something of this caliber.

From my own personal experience, expressing opinions can become problems quickly.

The aftermath can be large in size and negative, as you are experiencing right now. Still, I applaud you for publishing something like this. You have expressed your opinion well and with factual evidence.

In conclusion do not let other people’s opinion stop you from expressing yours.

You as the Editorial Board, have agreed on a topic and an opinion. You have published it under the school’s magazine. You are brave, Editorial Board, and while I don’t agree with your opinion, I will stand behind you in your right to express your opinion.

Sincerely and with great admiration, Natalie Schweizer

BRIEFLY STATED Students Connect to Younger Generation Through Big Buddy High school students were given an opportunity to connect with the younger grades at Big Buddy on Dec. 14. The night included making a craft and watching “The Grinch That Stole Christmas.”

Zeroto100 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.

Varsity boys basketball won the Kingman Eagle Classic on Dec. 9.

“My favorite part of wintertime is snow and the fact that I can have nice, hot beverages, like hot chocolate.”

Junior Dylan Stewart placed 3rd at Pratt on Dec. 2.

Sophomore Moses Gardner

Many seminars had seminar parties the week before Christmas break.

talks about his love for things to keep him warm during the frigid months.

Sterling High School |

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| January 2018

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NEWS

(Photo by Morgan Anderson) Cheerleaders stand in formation for the National Anthem during the homecoming football game Oct. 16.

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Spirit Challenges and Changes Cheer coach Tana Day resigns mid-season Grace Rowland From big bows to pointed toes, to all that glitters and glows, are all things cheerleaders experience frequently, but rarely have they tumbled in situations involving cheer coaching staff.

The cheer squad is experiencing a mid-season coaching change on the heels of coach Tana Day’s resignation, which was officially accepted at the Dec. 12 board of education meeting.

The first month’s of the cheer team’s season went smoothly enough. Except when Day twice failed to show up to early morning practices, which left the squad without a leader and the team members stuck at the school for no reason.

Senior cheer co-captain Reagan Mantz said many standards set at the beginning of the year, such as being present at practice, were no longer being kept.

Athletic Director Dan Whisler declined to comment on the situation beyond what was shared at the board meeting due to it being a personnel issue.

“I think she didn’t have enough time to do as good as a job as she wanted to, so I think she felt the squad would be better equipped in someone else’s hands,” senior Mia Steinmetz said.

Agreeing with Steinmetz, senior co-captain Taylor Petz felt torn by the situation.

“For the most part, Tana knew what she was doing. She was at a close age to us, so it was easy to relate to things better. But her just coming out of college, she just had other responsibilities that she wanted to take on and wasn’t always there like she needed to be,” Petz said.

Coaching changes can be hard for anyone, but it can be even more challenging for new cheerleaders and incoming freshman.

“The seniors know how to do all of the cheer things, what to do, how we are supposed to look, and coming in as a new

Reporter @grraaccee54 person and having to learn everything new and then having it completely changed was really difficult for me,” freshman Haddie Boeken said.

Although young cheerleaders felt the impact of yet another alteration, veterans felt the change would bring more advantages for all.

“I think it is beneficial for a lot of us because as older girls we know what the standards should be and what should be going on and they weren’t,” Mantz said. “I think that for the younger girls it is better for them to have an image of what cheering should be and things cheerleaders should be doing in school. I think now they will have better leadership so they can actually do those things.”

Bringing in new leadership is Jennifer Mantz who was offered a supplemental contract to be the cheer coach for the remainder of the school year.

“Raegan is a senior captain and I am certified so I thought I would step in and help out,” Mantz said.

Mantz has never coached cheer before but cheered in junior high, high school, and college.

“I’m excited about working with these girls and getting to know a few girls that otherwise I may never get to know. They are a great group of girls,” Mantz said.

Besides a big change in coaching staff, many cheerleaders are looking for the difference in coaching styles.

“The biggest change we will face is the accountability. We will be held accountable for things now,” senior Lexi Edwards said.

“We are going to have to start being on time and showing up to practice. We are going to have to be at the games on time and we are going to have to step up our cheer level.”

Above: Cheerleaders lead the crowd in cheers during the Kingman Tournament. (Photo by Shawna Britton) Left: New coach Mantz demonstrates how to hold your hands during cheer practice. (Photo by Taya Wilson)

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| January 2018

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NEWS

Curtain Call:

Senior thespians take the stage for the final time Natalie Nichols

As the curtain falls for this year’s winter play, The House of Blue Leaves directed by Betsy Dutton, it will be the last production in the spotlight at SHS for much of the cast.

“It’s sad thinking this will be my last high school production,” senior Mia Stinemetz said.

Although finishing off the theater productions of this year is bittersweet, Sterling’s musicals and plays have made such a good impact on many of the students that they want to carry on the experience and continue to act even after high school.

“I’ve always enjoyed being in the plays here, and the thought that I will not be able to do another one is very sad, and I try not to think about it yet. I’m not going to stop acting, and I’ll still do plays and stuff when I’m older, but it won’t be the same as being here,” senior Alley Rowland said.

These shows, with the help of Dutton, brought out talent of acting and singing from actors and actresses who did not enjoy being in any spotlight in the beginning.

“I definitely never thought that I would like being on stage and acting and singing in front of people. I always thought that would be super scary. Now I’m super comfortable with it, and

Reporter @natalie.e.n it’s one of my favorite things to do,” Stinemetz said.

Aside from providing lessons about acting and the art of theater, being in productions has taught students lessons they can use throughout life.

“It’s taught me to be more responsible and not procrastinate as much, especially if you have a bigger lead because you can let people down, and it doesn’t just affect you,” senior Aniston Ramsey said.

Even though many voices and good talent will be lost after this year, there is always more to be found in younger actors and actresses by nurturing them.

“We always lose a lot of talent, but the Junior class has a lot of talent. My job is to help foster kids’ talents, and then they grow.

In the 35 years I’ve been here there’s always someone coming up,” Dutton said.

Being in theater productions has helped develop students and their talents and made a lasting impact that will last after high school.

“It’s definitely been a worthwhile experience that I’m going to take with me,” senior Eli Miller said.

STAFF THANKS

Mr. Derek Schneider, You unleash the creativity of Sterling High School’s students. The artwork they produce is incredible, and we are lucky to have you in our school system.

Also, the impact you make on the lives of our athletes is unparalleled. You lead them to be better human beings by teaching them the value of hard work on the field of play. Thank you!

— Black Bear Supporters Sterling High School |

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| January 2018

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FEATURE

No Fear, All Cheer

Setbacks don’t stop Bennett from pursuing her competitive cheer career.

McKiah san miguel

Freshman Hannah Bennett, a competitive cheerleader lives and breaths cheer. Preparing for competition begins in the summer after tryouts. Many hours of practicing with a hired choreographer to fast and upbeat music until it’s perfect, in a 2 minute, 30 second time slot. Sass, big hair, and exaggerated makeup are three main components in Bennett’s lifestyle.

“I’m up at 6 a.m. getting prepared for the big day ahead,” Bennett said. “I spend about two hours on my hair and make it look as big as possible and also my makeup, because it has to look perfect.”

Highschool cheer focuses on supporting their team sports, whereas competitive cheer is all about reeling in the judges on the mat; a cheer mat is a high quality foam carpet they compete on.

“As a team we make sure to exaggerate our sassy hip shakes, winking at the judge, and we make sure to own that mat,” Bennett said.

Cheer is a diverse sport, along with the big hair and makeup it also comes with a lot of contact.

“We would give anything to make sure that the person you’re throwing into the air never hits the ground,” Bennet

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Editor

@kiiaahhh

said. “As a base or even backspot it involves contact, you would sacrifice yourself before you would let your flyer hit the ground.”

In competitive cheer there are levels that divide the cheerleaders up based on their skills and what they are capable of. Level one consists of preps and cradles, cartwheels, and back walkovers for tumbling skills. Level two stunts typically include extensions and learning basket tosses, tumbling varies from a back handspring to round-off backhandspring. Level three begins to stunt full arounds and other tricks leading into an extension, while the tumbling skills are learning how to properly do a back tuck and standing back tuck. Level four is the hardest group Midwest Express Cheer has available to the community. Level four consists of the same stunts as level three, but more complex and difficult. Tumbling consists of whips, layouts, back tucks, and an aerial. Level five which Bennetts gym does not have yet, because none have reached that level yet due to difficulty. Level five would consist of a standing full, a running full, a full twist, and a back flip.

Midwest Express Cheer plans to have a level five by next year.

Bennett is apart of a junior level three and a senior coed level

Sterling High School |

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| January 2018

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Bennett backspots a flyer in an attempted arabesque for her Level 3 team, performing their routine for upcoming competitions.

(Photos by McKiah San Miguel)

Bennett practices backspotting a prep for her choreographed routine, strengthening the stunt.

four and has intentions of being on level five when it makes its appearance.

Competitive cheer wasn’t Bennett’s first choice until her interest sparked in the last few years.

“The gym that I used to do gymnastics at started a cheer program, and since my gymnastics career was coming to an end I looked into it.”

Bennett’s sister Tori Gonzales had been competeing in competitive cheer for several year, and really pushed Bennett into giving it a shot.

“My little sister had been competing for several years, and my gym had opened a new door for me. by startign a cheer program.”

Bennett had recognized some uncomfortable pains in her back, and continued to participate in gymnastics with her head held high.

“Gymnastic practices were 18 hours a week, and it became

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extremely hard on my back,” Bennett said. “After going to the chiropractor for an x-ray, I found out my back was at a 15 degree angle to the right, meaning scoliosis.”

Weekly trips to the chiropractor and Bennett’s back kept returning to the 15 degree angle, but this didn’t affect her positive attitude.

“I have been to three National Competitions,” Bennett said.

“My first was in Orlando, FL, where I ended up getting 2nd in the all-around in level four. This was so exciting for me, because I was just a little girl, and it felt like the Olympics.”

Bennett had a large variety of succession while she took part in gymnastics.

“My second encounter was in Las Vegas, and ended up being the vault champion,” Bennett said. “This was surprising, because vault is honestly my least favorite event.”

But wait, there’s more. Bennett ended her career this summer on a high note.

Cheer-tionary

Prep- a stunt which a flyer stands on two bases hands.

Cradle- bases arms extend tossing flyer into the air, bases catch flyer absorbing motion.

Freshman hannah Bennett poses in her left splits in her Midwest Express uniform.

“I went to Kingsport, TN, and was a national champion on beam,” Bennett said. “ I cried after my floor routine because I was just so proud of myself and how I ended my career.”

Bennett had spent 10 years on gymnastics, and wasn’t quite ready to let it go, until she was given an opportunity.

“Cheer was a new door for me, and it is so similar to gymnastics, and I just fell in love with it,” Bennett said.

In some ways gymnastics still has its connections with Bennett through competitive cheer.

“Since I haven’t been doing gymnastics anymore, I have had more available time to work on my tumbling skills,” Bennett said, “Saturday mornings I go for an hour, and mostly focus on getting my full, because I have been really struggling to get it, but it is in progress.”

Not only does the sport motivate Bennett, but also the connections she has made within the cheer squad. ‘‘Joining the squad allowed me to meet so many new people, and I now consider them all my family,” Bennett said. “Just being able to experience competition days with them is why I enjoy this sport so much.”

Competition weekends take place almost every weekend, and involve quite the schedule.

“We wake up at 6 a.m. just to start getting ready, which takes about two to three hours,” Bennett said. “Our coaches make us then go watch the other teams, and overall the competition days are about six to seven hours long. We do this to see what the other teams have brought to the floor, and this is really

“My life surrounded around gymnastics, but it came to an end when I was diagnosed with Scoliosis.”

— Hannah Bennett, freshman Being apart of the competitive squad requires a lot of Bennett’s time with practices and weekend competitions, but for her, it is all worth it.

“I have been apart of the squad for two years now,” Bennett said. “I will usually practice for two hours for each level, two days of the week, and when we aren’t practicing we’re out at competitions.”

fun for us all to do.”

For the last five months Midwest Express’ level three squad has been waiting for their moment to shine, and they took advantage of it.

“Our first competition that took place, level three won the grand champion level three team, and we worked our tails off, but I am so proud of every single one of the girls,” Bennett said.

Back Walkover- a backbend

followed by a kick over, back into standing position.

Back Tuck- jump straight into the air and tuck legs into chest.

Whips- a backhandspring where hands do not touch the floor.

Layouts-Athlete rotates with no

hands, legs and torso are straight in a slight hollow position.

Aerial- A movement performed

without hands touching the ground

Full Twist- extended body while flipping upside down, requiring a full 360-turn.

Basket Toss- toss straight up

in the air to execute a skill and land in cradle position.

Sterling High School |

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

| January 2018 11

INFOGRAPHIC

New Year’s Resolutions

“To become somebody that people know they can come to when they need help.” sophomore Abby Riffel

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“To do a devotional everyday so I can learn more about God.” sophomore Alaina Madden

“To have more fun because sometimes I take life too seriously.” freshman Colton Sant

“To be a better “To not use social person because I media a lot bethink the world cause it consumes needs more love your life.” and less hate.” sophomore junior Kiah Zambo Brett Riffel “I’m going to learn to speak German because it’s a fun language.” sophomore Josh Curtis By: Natalie Nichols

“I don’t have one because I don’t ever stick to them.” senior Jeffrey Hartman

“To improve in life and in school because it will help me be a better person in the future.” sophomore Kidist Wilson

“To eat less Sonic because I eat it almost every day.” senior Mia Stinemetz

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| January 2018 13

SPORTS

THE SHS

The Cub Reporter strives to cover everything we can, but with so many things going on during the year, it can be difficult. And so: The SHS Extra Inning was born. Here we cover everything we can fit in this space.

EXTRA INNING

Morgan Anderson

Reporter

@_morgs.__

Wrestler Starts Strong

Junior Debi Schmidt

Sophomore Brady Myers

Freshman Kayla Morris

What basketball shoes do you wear?

Senior Kenan Comley

The Cub Reporter takes a look at the basketball shoes worn by the players

80% 20% New Shoes

0% Hand-Me-Downs

Mascot Duo

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0% Tennis Shoes

(Poll taken by 35 basketball players)

Senior mascot Alley Rowland gives a pep talk to junior mascot Brett Riffel on the basics of being a black bear. This duo switches in between halftime of the games.

(Photo by M. Anderson)

Reused Shoes

With only one wrestler at Sterling High School, junior Dylan Stewart is a one man team starting off with a good season.

“So far my season has been pretty good,” said Stewart. “I had a really bad match at the beginning that I should’ve won but it’s been good so far.”

Wrestling can be a challenging sport with the amount of energy that you put in.

“Staying in the match for me is a challenge. It gets pretty competitive and the energy kills your body. It’s a hard sport so showing that I can do it motivates me.”

Having goals is also important when wrestling so you have something to stive for.

“I want to go to state which also means placing at regionals and overall have a winning record.”

Q&A

Cheerleader Meah Gonzalez

CUB REPORTER: What has been the best part about being a cheerleader at SHS? Meah: It’s just really fun to cheer and support the team. It’s better than just sitting there because now I can actually be out there and supportive.

CR: How long have you been in cheer and what got you interested?

M: I started doing cheer this year because both my sisters are in competitive cheer and they said that I should try out for the high school team and I made it.

CR: What has been the most challenging thing this season?

M: Learning the cheers was the most challenging thing for me because the basketball ones aren’t that hard but the football ones are a little tougher. But overall it’s really fun and more people should definitely do it.

OPINIONS POINT / COUNTERPOINT

Disney: Gay or Nay

Disney is commendable for promoting homosexuals

Disney is wrong for favoring homosexual relationships

Disney has recently come under fire due to one of its shows, “Andi Mack”, having the first teen character coming out as being gay and learning to accept who they are.

Many people are opposed to it for a variety of reasons, many of them based on religious beliefs. Therefore, the obvious question is: should it be removed? Despite the popular belief that letting children view a program of this kind encourages them to live a homosexual lifestyle, no research supports such a stance. Many people have seen violent shows or movies. However, merely viewing immoral actions doesn’t explicitly cause you to replicate said activities.

That falls onto what you have been taught and your own personal moral and ethics.

Many people who are opposed to a show such as Disney’s “Mack” have biblical reasons, rarely do they have specific reasons for why they think it’s immoral. Removing this program because one group of people disagrees would be detrimental to society as a whole. Because we often take pride in our ability to be open-minded about everything, we’re always preached at to be tolerant of everyone. Then exceptions start popping up as we get older and soon those who preached tolerance become hypocrites. We often judge other people on our own

The 21st century has come with many new things for instance a new outlook on homosexuality. Not that homosexuality is a new concept, but that it has become socially acceptable and is celebrated by the entertainment industry — most recently Disney.

Disney Channel has introduced its first gay, supporting character in the popular series “Andi Mack.” Which, in my eyes, is unacceptable and immoral for multiple reasons.

First of all, homosexuality, and sexuality in general, is something that should be taught in the home by parents, not by a businesses or the government. It is a parent’s job to teach and guide their children on what is right and wrong, not society’s.

Secondly, you don’t have the sex talk with a six year old. Why? Because it would be considered too “heavy” for

COLUMN BY ANDY NOREZ @andy_Norez sense of right and wrong to the point we’ve lost the ability to accept other viewpoints.

We’ve slowly become unable to leave our comfort zones because we often surround ourselves with like-minded people.

The show provides us a glimpse into what other peoples lives are like, a valuable opportunity because we often don’t hear their side due to our judgment of them already being decided. It provides support for people going through the same struggle, just seeing characters on television go through the same struggle gives them courage to accept who they are.

Removing this television series won’t change reality.

Sterling High School |

COLUMN BY TAYA WILSON @_twils_ a child and would most likely confuse them. The same goes for talking about homosexuality. A young child hasn’t even figured out their own identity, they don’t need to be worried about their sexual identity.

Thirdly, promoting homosexuality or being homosexual is biblically immoral. In a country that was founded on Christian principles, many would agree that the Bible is generally a good moral compass, and the Bible specifically state that acts of homosexuality is a sin: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men (or women) who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (ESV)” When God created the world he made it perfect with one man and one woman, only when mankind sinned and messed up the perfect world did homosexuality ­— along with a slew of other sins ­­— enter the world. You don’t see Disney promoting stealing or getting drunk, so why promote homosexuality, especially to young children.

www.sterlingcubreporter.com

| January 2018 15

OP-ED To the Editorial Board,

I am writing to discuss a recent editorial that was oublished in the December issue of the Cub Reporter. In this editorial is declares. “Sterling High relies on threee sport athletes to support and enhance our academics and sports curricula.” This statement makes it very plain that the three sport athletes beig talked about, are solely the ones who play basketball. I agree that basketball is important, as it has more success than many other sports. Whereas the part of the statement that claims that students who compete in three sports ebhance our academics is where your Editorial Board is incorrect. If we were to solely rely on three sport students for our academics, I’m sure we would see a sudden decrease in the many Debate and Forensics awards that our school works hard to obtain.

Another claim I would like to bring to attention is the one that states, “When an athletes or student chooses to only take part in one of several activities it will reflect on them.” You choose to use the example of Debate and Forensics to support your claim, which is where another mistake was made.

I know for a fact that nearly all of the magazine staff dies not actively compete in either Debate or Forensics, and the ones who once did, quit. This fact maes nearly all of you seem unqualified to state a claim like that. In fact, when I asked a three-year competitor of both Debate and Forensics, they nearly said the opposite of your claim. While both Debate and Forensics contain talking, that’s where the similarties end, therefore stating that no one would suffer by doing one and not the other.

If your statement was applied to other school activities, such as band and choir, you would see the ridiculousness of your claim. A person who plays in band, but doesn’t sing in choir is not at a disadvantage to someone who does both. Because, as you see, a person’s instrument playing abilities are not based on how well they can sing and vice versa.

Yet another statement mad is, “Not only does athletes being in three sports help strengthen team connections, but also [sic] helps with their grades, attendence, and behavior. It motivates students to be there everyday to participate in sports, and to compete you must be eligible, therfore it makes students put more effort into not only the sport, but academics as well. “Not only is the statement grammatically incorrect, but the word “motivates” is misued. Students do not feel motivated, but rather pressured to go to school. For example, an ill student athlete would go to school, not only jepradizing their health, but the health of other students, simply to get out of running. And as for the grades aspect, student athletes are expected

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to maintain a passing grade—an expectation most students are able to keep.

Now we come to the biggest mistake made in the editorial: “One sport athletes have a more selfish attitude ‘all about me and what I’m good at ‘attitude” is the direct quote you used. I would suggest not calling a majoriy of the school selfish in an article that is sent out to them, mostly because they control whether or not the magazine is successful. I also feel that you seem to think the only reason a person wouldn’t go out for basketball is because they claim they are not goot at it. Has it ever come to your attention that some people may not go out for it because they genuinely don’t like it, or they need money so they choose to work instead, or certain family conditions make it unable to play? Are those people also selfish? Even if someone did choose not to play because they should not be ridiculed because of it. Choosing not going to the prom because the person you wanted didn’t ask you, or to drop out of choir because you didn’t get a solo.

My last argument is in the first line of the second to last paragraph that says, “Wouldn’t you rather play with people you know and have grown up with rather than a new group of people you will never meet again.” Lets not pretend that this statement isn’t talking about club volleyball, as it seems to be the biggest threat to why girls don’t play basketball. Now, once again, no one on the magazine board has played club volleyball, making them, once again, inadequate to state that. I have heard from nearly every girl who has played club volleyball that they have made friendships that would last a lifetime. it really depends on who the person is and where or not they are able to make friends. What you don’t realize is that this claim could also be applied toward wrestling player, who play with people from other schools and people they have not grown up with. Some of those wrestlers could be three sport athletes. Are you now deciding to throw the people that have claimed as superior under the bus? What about new kids who decided to play basketball? Will the basketball girls never talk to them again just because they have not grown up with them? This is making basketball sound like an exclusive club that only people who have lived in Sterling their whole life willbe accepted into. Now, I’m sure that you did not mean it that way, which is whi it was an error to post that.

In conclusion, I would like to ask the Editorial Board to step up their game and write quality content that doesn’t insult their supporters.

Sincerly, A very fed up student - Alaina Maddden

Dear Magaziner Crew, In regards to the December Magazine, it was the best magazine we’ve had in a long time. Unfortunately, you ruined it with your pretentious and narcissistic editorial. I’m sorry I don’t want to be apart of a mediocre basketball and track team. You mention in your editorial “also helps with their grades, attendance, and behavior.” if we only did sports to keep up with grades it promotes doing the bare minimum to keep up with grades. And as for the rest of your article, they were flat out lies. I would highly suggest and apology for your next editorial. “Would you rather look back at high school and regret doing these extracurricular activities, or regret not doing them?” My two biggest regrets for high school is doing Debate and Track. This editorial is essentially one big guilt trip. Sorry if it’s slightly harsh. Get over it.

-Zoe Miller TO THE EDITOR To start off, I think your opinion about three sport athletes is wrong. You may not agree, but in my and others’ eyes, it is a complete lie. So let’s say I go out for volleyball and decided not to go out for track because I don’t love it. That doesn’t make me selfish. If theoretically I can’t run fast, why participate in the sport? Why not spend time doing something I enjoy, like art? It doesn’t make someone selfish if they don’t enjoy a sport; it just means they are prioritizing their hobbies, and to say that is not a good reason is honestly insulting.

Another point your missing in your opinion is that not all athletes have good attitudes. I personally know a three sport athlete that gets bad grades and is very mean. Are they the backbone of the school? You can’t put everyone who does sports all year long on a higher pedestal than every other student. Also, you said that one sport athletes have the ‘it’s all about me and what I’m good at’ attitude. This is not only unfair, but rude. If I like art better than track, don’t tell me to do track. I think it’s students that have this ‘three sport athletes are holding out school together’ opinion in their minds that cause people like me not to like certain sports. If you don’t participate in both band and choir, what gives me the right to turn to you and say, “You’re ruining our program. You need to do this whether you like it or not.” It’s no longer fun; it’s a guilt trip. So, in conclusion, three sport athletes are not who Sterling High School relies on to enhance our academics and sport curricula.

Kind, hardworking people who choose to support rather than tear down and manipulate people are who Sterling relies on.

-From an insulted, two sport athlete, Aubrey Anderson

Read more Letters to the Editor online at www.sterlingstudentpublications.com