CUB REPORTER May 2019
VOL. 5 ISS. 8
STERLING HIGH SCHOOL
Into the Tiny House +pg 5
Sterling High School | May 2019 1
+ 02 EDITORIAL
CUB REPORTER WWW.STERLINGPSTUDENTPUBLICATIONS.COM
308 E. Washington, Sterling, KS 675779 Phone: 620-278-2171 Fax: 620-278-3237
+STAFF
editors +MCKIAH San Miguel +grace rowland REPORTERS +andy norez +lucas gilmore +christina voth +Riley Richter +megan roelfs ADVISER +TODD VOGTS
+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 Over the course of the entire school year, the industrial arts program has been building a tiny house. It is nearing completion. Read more about it on Pg. 5. www.sterlingcubreporter.com
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2003/feb/wk1/art04.htm?view_full
Summer jobs provides experiences, opportunities
As the school year is drawing to a close that means that summer is fast approaching. While summer may be a time of fun and relaxation, many teens choose to make money working at a summer job. Summer jobs are a great way to learn valuable skills and make money at the same time, while hopefully doing something you enjoy. Students that have jobs during the summer have many benefits that they will learn from that can help them in the future. Jobs during the summer can provide the opportunity to expand basic business skills and young learners are taught how to take constructive criticism. They can learn how to respect other authoritative figures other than parents, and how to manage time well. Having an opportunity like this can also build relationships with all kinds of people, which can lead to other jobs in the future. Working in the summer will also help you fill out your resume when the time comes. Eventually, the summer job you have will be replaced by a full-time job. However, never underestimate the power of previous experiences as they can have an impact on your future job, especially if it’s worded effectively on the resume. The job market tends today tends to favor experience over education. A college degree is still valuable, but it’s even better if it’s paired with a resume filled with experience. According to bachelorsdegreeonline. com, students who are able to work during their high school years are able to
demonstrate this experience and build valuable entries on their resumes. It also proves that students are able to successfully balance work and an education at the same time. While some high schoolers don’t know what they are going to do after they graduate or what career path they want to pursue, summer jobs are a great way to get experience and find out what you like, what you don’t, and what you’re good at. It’s a beneficial way to get your feet wet in the job world. When people get paid, they might just think about what they are going to spend it on, saving for college. They can teach you how to handle finances and the responsibility that comes with it. By saving part of your summer earnings, you can make a major dent in college expenses. Communication is also another great life tool that is taught by jobs. Work is a great place to fine-tune your skills. According to sciencedaily.com, teenagers who have a job during the summer gain a competitive advantage later in life. They are the ones who more than likely will be able to find employment easier because they learned these skills at a younger age. So get a job in the summer, it’ll help you out in the future. There are many benefits that having a summer job can teach. You can never have too many life skills that could possibly make life as an adult easier. — For the Editorial Board
+ 03 Briefs
BRIEFLY STATED +SHS
FBLA students qualify for National Conference
On April 3-4, the Future Business Leaders of America team went to the state leadership conference in Topeka, Kansas. The team had success, as eigth students placed in their events Senior William Weiner placed in all five of the events he competed in. Out of of his events, he won Business Calculations, placed second Insurance Management, took third in Political Science, and sixth in Accounting 2. Weiner wasn’t the only student to have success at the conference. Others qualifying for nationals include seniors Grace Rowland, Morgan Anderson, and Natalie Nichols in graphic design, placing third. Senior Bryce Wilson took second place in Webite Desgin, sophomore Maddy Chesney placed fourth in Intro to FBLA, and junior Alaina Madden placed sixth in Public Speaking. Madden will attend the conference due to cancelation of award winners before her. The team will travel to the National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, June 29-July 2.
+LOCAL
ACLU sues Kansas officials over Statehouse banners
+NATIONAL
The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas filed a lawsuit defending three Kansas State University students who hung pro-medicaid banners in the Kansas Statehouse. The banners were protesting the lack of a vote on medicaid expansion. Each of the four banners called out a different republican lawmaker for failing to support medicaid expansion. The banners accused the lawmakers of having “blood on their hands” and called for action. According to the Kansas City Star, the ACLU is suing because the students were kicked out of the Statehouse after hanging the banners. The banners were taken down promptly after. Statehouse officials explained that they did these things because of Statehouse policy. ACLU argues the Statehouse’s policies limit rights to free speech, which are protected by the Constitution. According to KWCH 12, Statehouse officials say that their policies are in place to prevent damage to the building.
Notre Dame Cathedral goes up in flames
On April 15, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire during an effort to renovate the building. The wooden exterior of the cathedral was almost entirely destroyed. According to NPR, thousands of people gathered around and sang hyms. There seemed to be a look of disbelief on many bystander’s faces. According to CNN, at 6:20 p.m., a fire alarm sounded. People were told to evacuate, but many didn’t leave the building until 6:43 p.m., when a second alarm went off and people were told, “This is no joke. You’ve got to get out.” Firefighters rushed to the scene but were slowed down by rush hour traffic. Officials decided to close many roads around the cathedral to make it easier for firefighters to get to the scene. At around 8 p.m., the famous spire collapsed and fell into the interior of the church. This was posted all around social media and was seen by many on Twitter. After fighting the fire all night, the fire had been extinguished by 9:30 a.m. the next day, ABC News reported.
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+ 04 News
New Staff Changes Sterling High School staff members leave a big gap for administration to fill +By Riley Richter
A
s the school year closes, there are many changes, including changes to the staff at Sterling High School. There are eight staff members leaving this year, creating a gap for the administration to fill. Included in the eight of staff members leaving at the end of the year are Principal Bill Anderson, librarian Sherilyn McPherson, band director Larry Brownlee, special education teacher Jennifer Mantz, chemistry teacher Matt Perkins, and industrial arts teacher Josh Pounds. High school secretary Pam Smith and para Sherry Lackey are also leaving as they are both retiring. Brownlee particularly notable because he has worked at Sterling for 34 years. Brownlee was a 1976 graduate of Sterling High School, and a 1980 Sterling College graduate. After teaching in Chase in January of 1981, and Eureka in the fall of 1982, Brownlee came back to his hometown to teach band in 1985. After three Sweepstakes winners at the Worlds of Fun Band Festival, 11 KMEA performances, a 1998-1999 Grammy signature school, and countless 1 ratings at state music festivals, Brownlee decided it was the right time to switch to Sterling College. “The college band use to be really strong, and it’s been up and down for the last several years,” Brownlee said. “I want to see that program grow and get stronger.” Along with Brownlee, Principal Bill Anderson will also be leaving this year. Anderson came to Sterling in the summer of 2007 and started his first year at Sterling in August of 2007. Before coming to Sterling, Anderson was the assistant principal and athletic director at Nickerson High School from 1998-2007. Anderson has been the schools principal for 12 years and has developed many strong relationships with the staff and students. “I have enjoyed working with a solid group of educators who care about Sterling students,” Anderson said. “I have also really enjoyed the students that come through my building, and I am always a little sad during graduation each year to watch a group leave.” After his many years at Sterling, Anderson felt it was the right time and opportunity to try something new. He was recently hired to be the superintendent of the Canton-Galva school district next year. Out of the eight staff members leaving there are two staff members retiring. High school secretary Pam Smith is retiring this year. Smith came to Sterling in 1990 after working at KMW from 1978-1984 before taking two years off and working there again until 1990. Smith had never thought about retirement until three years ago when she attended retirement meetings and met with other retirees before seriously considering it. Smith was planning on waiting one more year, but after discussing it with her husband, she decided to retire after this year. “I am looking forward to going to my grandkids, school events and being available to help my parents when needed. I am also looking forward to sitting outside in the mornings without having to get ready to go to work,” Smith said. Smith has enjoyed her 29 years here at Sterling High, including the students. “I have enjoyed getting to know students that I would never see except here at school, and I consider the staff as family,” Smith said. The administration has already started to fill positions for Perkins, Mantz, Pounds, Brownlee, McPherson, and interviewed candidates for the principal position on April 30.
www.sterlingcubreporter.com
Band Director Larry Brownlee
Principal Bill Anderson
Secretary Pam Smith
+ 05 Feature
Into the Tiny House Looking at the construction of the tiny house and the design that took place behind the scenes
T
+By Andy norez +Graphics By Andy norez
hroughout the year many have seen the tiny house taking form during the school year. Many students having taken part in its construction. At the beginning of this school year industrial arts teacher Joshua Pounds and his classes started work on the tiny house. This is the school’s first ever tiny house, having been both designed and constructed by the students. Since this is the first time there were a few minor kinks in the plan, but were properly dealt with and prepared for. The building of the tiny house is done in several parts, as it is done in layers. Each needed to be placed up in a specific order. The house has been built throughout the year and is scheduled to be completed during the second week of May.
Sterling High School | May 2019 5
+ 06 Feature
This plan covers the design and look of the storage unit under the staircase
This plan shows what the outside is predicted to look like before being built
“We’ve done everything to the tiny house, including putting up frames, building stairs, putting up plywood, roofing and putting tin siding up,” senior Casey Duft said. “I’ve never done metal studs before. Other than that, I’ve pretty much done everything else before. I’ve been over to Hutch CC doing residential construction.” The students helping with the house all have different levels of experience they bring to the table, with each learning new information about construction and regulations related to construction. Anyone interested in learning about construction was encouraged to take the class. “I wanted to bring the tiny house here for students that don’t get the chance to be able to go to the vocational school in Hutchinson,” Pounds said.“In addition to just getting the basics of electrical, plumbing, framing house, siding, and flooring so that a basic student that wouldn’t go to a vocational school the opportunity to experience some of it.” There is a difference between regular houses and tiny house. A normal house typically is 2,600 square feet, while a tiny house is 400 square feet or less. The tiny house will be 220 square feet and features a bathroom, kitchen and loft. While the idea of building a tiny house may seem simple and easy to do, there is actually a lot more that goes into making and designing a house than meets the eye. “At the beginning of the year we went over budgeting, materials, and codes and with this class. We go from the start of the school year to the very end of the school year,” Pounds said. “They go through how to order the material, budgeting for the materials, and, on top of that, they have to figure out weight
www.sterlingcubreporter.com
+ 07 Feature This plan shows where electrical wires will run to, and the location of outlets
This plan shows what the inside of the tiny house will look like from above
because we’re only allowed 1,400 pounds.” While construction of the tiny house began this year, it was not the start of the project it began last year with the drafting process. Plans had to be made before they started building, and students were a part of that. “I had decided to do the tiny house the previous school year, so my first year here I decided to do it in January. I had my drafting kids design the house,” Pounds said. “I had a handful of kids in it last year, and they designed it. They all had a say in what it would look like.” Many of the students taking part in the construction have had prior experience in constructing. Most have either worked on or built normal size houses and there is a transition. Between the two types of houses. There are differences between the two in building, combined with the different ways to building specific parts of a house. Because of this there was a shift in gears for some students who have had prior experience in building houses. “I enjoy the challenges the tiny house brings. For example, I didn’t know about the new insulation style and the electrical were both new challenges for me,” junior Caleb Fenwick said. “I’ve never really run electrical before I mean, we built our house, and it was similar. But I’m used to putting insulation in by hand but they used spray foam insulation.” Throughout the year there have been several minor changes made to the tiny house. There are no special features that set it apart from other tiny houses. The biggest challenge for them was the budget, but it was thought out and designed with money in mind. “The entire exterior has stayed the same, along with the floor plan.
Sterling High School | May 2019 7
+ 08 Feature
Nothing changed from the floor plan and the exterior that the drafting kids had designed,” Pounds said. “It was only the little things here and there that we changed throughout the year because when you figured something up at the beginning of the year there is always xyz amount of money.” The financing is often the most important part to a project, along with it being the most limiting one. Pounds’ budget was set at $25,000. They started from the ground up and have built it from there. After its completion, Pounds plans on selling the house, and all money received will go back to the school. “The school district is funding it so the students are able to have the opportunity to experience it. At the end of the year, we’ll be marketing it,” Pounds said. “Once it’s sold, that money will go back to the school, and any profit made off of it will be dispersed throughout the school as needed.” This project has provided several beneficial experience-such as financing, budgeting, safety codes and basic building principles-to the students. Some will use this knowledge again in the future. “I’m working on my second, house, and after this year, I’ll have completed two houses in the class and will get my certificate,” Duft said. “I’m going to be pouring concrete for a living, but I will also be building some houses and remodeling some. So it’ll help me there.”
www.sterlingcubreporter.com
+ 09 Sports
Making A
Weiner heads into his final year of tennis with postseason goals
S
ince the age of four senior William Weiner has been playing tennis. After 14 years of tennis he is headed into his final season of his tennis career. “I am both excited and sad about my last season. I am excited because I can’t wait to make one final push at state tennis,” Weiner said. “I am also sad because I will never get to play with these friends again, nor will I ever play for Coach Thompson again. I will miss the relationships I have built with my coach and teammates.” Along with missing relationships from tennis, Weiner will miss playing the game he has grown to love since a young age. “Tennis is by far my favorite sport. When I was young, I was so small that I was at a severe disadvantage in sports. Tennis was the only sport where my size didn’t seem to matter. This is what drew me to tennis in the first place. Now that I am no longer quite so tiny, I love tennis because I love the strategy and mind games that tennis requires,” Weiner said. Weiner also enjoys many other aspect of tennis, including using different tactics to defeat different competitors. “My favorite part of tennis is the mental aspect. In most sports, the winner is simply whoever is bigger or has been playing longer. Tennis is different. The mental part of the game and the strategy work to level
Racket +by Grace Rowland
the playing field,” Weiner said. “I love trying to outsmart my opponents and frustrate them.” Weiner plans on using his various strategies to make a racket towards his goals this season. “My goal this year is to make the finals at state tennis. I was one set away last year, and it was so frustrating to see it slip away. My goal is for this to be the year where I finally play in the championship match,” Weiner said. In making it to state every year of his high school career, Weiner has learned many lessons to help prepare each match of the season. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned from tennis is how to keep my head. I’ve learned to not get furious with myself when I mess up,” Weiner said. “In junior high, I would start lecturing myself in the middle of a match; as you can probably guess, this helped very little. I have learned to control my emotion and not let them dictate my actions.” Despite having to learn hard lessons, Weiner has used everything he has learned to make him into the player he is today. “It took my at least five years to become a decent player. In the beginning, I was one of the worst players in my grade,” Weiner said. “Over the next couple years, I spent every free moment I had at the courts, and it finally paid off.”
Sterling High School | May 2019 9
+ 10 Sports
THE SHS
The Cub Reporter strives to cover everything we can, but with so many things going on in fall it can be difficult. And so: The SHS Extra Inning was born. Here we cover everything we can fit in this space.
Mckiah san miguel
Tennis Player Brett Riffel
CUB REPORTER: What has been the biggest change in your senior season? Brett: This year our team has been a little different. I had to play with several other guys until I found my doubles partner, I am very happy where have come this season. CR: What do enjoy most about tennis? B: I really enjoy the team aspect in tennis. I play doubles and I love that I have to work as a team with another person to reach a goal. CR: What is your goal for this season? B: My goal this season is to make it to state and place higher than I have in previous years. CR: What motivates you to put in the work everyday? B: My main motivation is that I love the sport. I have been playing since I was in second grade so it has had a huge impact on my life. CR: Will you continue to play tennis in college? B: I got offered by a few colleges, but I decided to turn them down.
Golf At Home
Junior Jake Schroeder looks to putt on his final hole at the home golf tournament on April, 15. (Photo by Morgan Anderson) www.sterlingcubreporter.com
editor
Who does what?
Q&A
EXTRA INNING The Cub Reporter takes a look at the spring activites of students
31%
7% 42% 20% Work
Other Activities
Sports
Nothing
Freshman Zach Surface
Sophomore Haddie Boeken
Junior Abby Riffel
Senior Ryan Birzer
3 UP, 3 DOWN
The softball team is on a 12 game 12 game streak. Thriving behind the motto, “3 Up, 3 Down.” This motto has motivated the team to get through every inning and giving it their all. “We go out there and get three outs and they get us out, but we take it inning by inning,” senior Isabelle Christensen said. This is a different outlook the softball team is taking this year. Not to see the game as just a
game, but take it one inning at a time. “You have to take every single inning. at bat, or person at a time,” Christensen said. “It is really important to do every single one of those one at a time.” This motto has pushed the softball team to get business done. The softball team is currently standing first in their regionals which will be held at Sterling, May 13-16.
+ 11 Opinions
POINT / COUNTERPOINT
Mustard Mayhem Mustard is not an enjoyable condiment to put on anything
Mustard is delicious, versatile American topping staple
+by Christina Voth
+by Lucas Gilmore
When you think of the color bright yellow you may think of many things like the sun, or daffodils, or you may even think of a gross yellow condiment; mustard. Now, I have tried mustard many different times during my life, trying to see if my taste buds had changed and I would like it, or if I would finally understand why people like mustard at all, but I’ve found that I still do not like mustard, no matter how many times I’ve tried it. Mustard is just very gross, and I doubt I will ever think any different. I find that the taste of mustard, whether it’s yellow, Dijon, or honey mustard, has a taste that is all its own. Though mustard has a taste that is original, that doesn’t make it any good. It is overpowering and covers up the flavor of anything else you are trying to eat with it. If I am eating something I want to be able to taste it. I think that if you are adding a condiment to your food that it should enhance the flavor of it, not cover it up completely with extra stuff. Otherwise, what’s the point in eating your favorite food if it just tastes like mustard? Mustard to me has a strange aftertaste that is mixture of both bitter and sour which is very unpleasant. I’ve found that mustard not only has an unfortunate smell that masks the smell of
anything good you’re eating, but also that the color of mustard is not appealing to the eye at all. I personally don’t find my food being that shade of yellow tasty looking. It’s off putting to say the least. I honestly don’t even find the thought of mustard appetizing at all. Why would anyone want to eat something that not only has a bad taste, but a terrible smell, and a gross yellow color? Mustard is just not something that I have ever enjoyed or will most likely ever enjoy. I don’t think that I’ll ever want mustard on my food. To me mustard is just plain disgusting.
When you think of American food, you think of hot dogs and burgers. When you think of these foods, you think of them having condiments, not just being plain, but what’s the most delicious condiment available? You guessed it, mustard. Mustard is a truly amazing taste sensation. It’s sweet, tangy, sour, and a little bit spicy at the same time. Other sauces don’t have this flavor profile, it’s so unique. This is what makes it so versatile. Mustard is great on many different foods and gives a pop of flavor. From hot dogs, to burgers, to bratwurst, mustard is great on anything savory. It
just gives you that extra kick of intense flavor. I don’t understand why people say that they hate mustard, it’s possibly the most amazing condiment on the market, just look at how it’s made. The legendary condiment is made from the mustard seed. After the mustard seed is crushed, it is added in with other things such as water, sugar, vinegar, and spices to give that signature “in your face” flavor and makes it the star of the show. There are also many different types of mustard and just about every one of them is good. Some types of mustard that are tasty are honey mustard, spicy brown (German) mustard, and Dijon mustard. These different flavors of mustard prove that it is a versatile condiment, can be mixed with many different flavors, and still be great. I believe that mustard is the most delicious common condiment out there. We’ve seen how it’s great on savory foods, but can also be good on other flavors. It’s versatile which has been proved by the amount of flavor varieties, which is one of the reasons it’s the best. If you don’t agree, then I don’t understand how you don’t. Mustard packs the best flavor that you can find in a condiment. Sterling High School | May11 2019
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