Volume38issue1

The Skyline High School

Homecoming Queen Abby Giles claims her crown from flower girl Kodi McComb before the football game Friday. The Thunderbird football team lost 38-28. photo by t. lange

T-BIRD

Times

Volume 38 • Issue 1 • September 27, 2013

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Editor .................... Ascha Lee Adviser.............. Judy Hampel Staff Reporters ........................

Jenessa Corbet Abby Giles Kaitlyn Stark Photographers..........................

Alyssa Allphin Lucas Cason Taryn Lange Lexie Maloney Brady McComb Caden Patterson Keigan Riggs Rion Westhoff

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Why are the dads out there?

by Ascha Lee

editor

I would say that homecoming went smoothly last Friday, but there is one question on everyone’s mind: where were the male attendants and king candidates during the crowning?

“I wasn’t aware of what was going on and what the scheduling was for that evening,” high school football coach Jon Novotny said.

“I knew homecoming was going on but I wasn’t up to speed on what was supposed to happen.”

Pep Club sponsor Summer Younie said she had spoken to athletic director Andrew Nation about the scheduling two weeks prior to the event.

“Mr. Nation and I discussed the schedule for homecoming a couple of weeks ago,” Younie said. “I thought everything was a go and it wasn’t. I was proud of all the kids and the dads in atten- Escorting junior attendant Shandis Myers, parent Justin Weber dance for stepping in and adapting steps in for his son. Weber was picked out of the audience by Pep Club sponsor Summer Younie when she found out that the on the fly.” football boys couldn’t walk the girls out. photo by t. lange Younie blames herself for guys involved, but also for their parents and the assuming Novotny was informed people watching.” about the schedule for homecoming night. She As for our homecoming king himself, he was a was under the impression that the candidates who little confused, but stayed calm and went with the also played football would be able to participate flow. before the game. She found out that the boys “It did kind of seem different than usual,” wouldn’t be there when the freshmen attendants Ailstock said. “I heard them announce it while we were introduced.

Nation said it was the coach’s decision and didn’t were warming up.”

Ailstock was later crowned as king at lunch on comment further.

Monday in the multi-purpose area.

The boys were supposed to come out and help The football boys stand behind their coach the girls out of the car, then stand with them through the bumps in the road. Senior candidate during the remainder of the ceremony while they Brandon Abbott said that it awaited the announcement of wasn’t considered a big deal. the king and queen. Instead, fans I felt sorry “Nobody was mad about it bewatched as dads from the crowd came to escort the ladies to the for Abby having to cause we all knew we had to keep our heads in the game,” Brandon sidelines. crown herself said. “He just told us that we “I felt sorry for Abby having -Cathy Abbott couldn’t go over there.” to crown herself,” parent Cathy Although the situation was Abbott said. hectic at first, I think everyone would probably Abbott’s son was one of the king candidates. agree that it all worked out in the end. It seems It’s homecoming tradition for the king to crown as if there was a communication breakdown, and the queen when announced. Queen Abby Giles said it was awkward having to crown herself when unfortunately our attendants and candidates were the ones who suffered from it.

King Ethan Ailstock wasn’t there to help her.

“It was the boys’ responsibility and privilege to “It would have been nice for them to be able to participate in homecoming,” Giles said. “I feel like escort the girls,” Cathy said. “They were cheated out of that.” it would have not only been memorable for the

Editorial | Friday | Sept. 27, 2013

No more textbooks

by Jenessa Corbet

reporter

Along with other schools across America, Skyline has upgraded its technology with new iPads.

Students at Skyline from fifth to 12th grade can now enjoy learning with these tablets.

About 300 iPads are being used.

Last year, superintendent Mike Sanders organized a team of teachers, building administrators and board members to review technology. The technology coordinator went to several school districts that had iPads in their schools. The administration came to the conclusion that iPads would work the best for students.

“We believe students need to be technology savvy to be competitive in today’s work force,” Sanders said. “We also believe adding this equipment to our student’s world will allow more collaboration in the world beyond our school walls.”

Right now the school’s biggest expansion is to improve the speed with the wireless connection.

When using an iPad, students are logged onto their Apple ID. Some students have felt like

their privacy has been invadlevel,” junior Shandis Myers ed because they had to turn in said. information about some of their There are more than 8 million personal accounts, specifically iPads sold around the world. the Apple ID. School officials According to AllThingsD, over can see the apps that students the past year, 3 million iPads have downloaded. have been sold in the U.S. for “The purpose, from my peracademic purposes and more spective, is to give them paid than 4.5 million iPads have been apps for free. I just keep track of sold in America. the iPads,” technology director “I like them a lot, but their duKim Ghumm said. “I’m not rability kinda scares me,” junior going to take the time out of Landon Lee said. my day to snoop and see what Even though iPads bring stueveryone’s doing.” dents an advanced way to learn If an iPad is lost or stolen, and finish homework, could they Ghumm can wipe out all perbe considered as an interference sonal information on the iPad. with studying? The pros of However, she can only see having an iPad are that they are what students less expensive, download on they weigh less the school iPad, I’m not going to take than textbooks not on personal the time out of my and information devices. is never out-ofday and see what Middle and date. However, everyone is doing. high school these tablets have - Kim Ghumm current glitches students are allowed to take and can be a their iPads distraction to stuhome for homework and other dents who enjoy playing games. academic reasons, but fifth and “I don’t like it when the iPads sixth grade can’t just yet. aren’t working, like when the “It would be smarter to just WiFi crashes or apps don’t give them to the high school inload,” Myers said. “But it’s nice stead of elementary and middle to always have a computer with school, because of their maturity you.”

FAVORITE APPS AND GAMES Deer Hunter

- Sheldon Miller, 9

Temple Run 2 - Briana Neifert, 10

Bike Race

- Blake Lee, 11

Snapchat

- Taylor Tobin, 12

Friday | Sept. 27, 2013 | News

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Sports Profiles Daniel

Hacker

Q: What are you looking forward to

this season?

A: Winning more games.

Q: Who do you want to beat this season?

A: I really want to beat Fairfield.

Q: Who do the younger kids look up to the most on the team?

A: The kids just look up to the upperclassmen who will lead

them in the right direction.

Q: Who do you really want to play this season?

A: Otis-Bison.

Hannah

Baird

Q: What’s your favorite part about playing volleyball?

A: Being with the team. They’re funny

and I enjoy being with them.

Q: What’s your favorite part about being a student-athlete?

A: Being able to play for my school and represent them.

Q: Do you have any personal goals for the volleyball team?

A: Make better passes.

Q: Do you have a certain outlook before each game?

A: I just want to always try to have fun.

Lucas

Cason

Q: What’s it like being on a team with your brother?

A: It’s actually pretty fun having my brother push me so we can both get better.

Q: What are your individual goals for the season?

A: My goal for the season is to run hard and make it to State.

Q: Who do you look up to the most?

A: Brooke, she’s like my big sister and she always pushes me

to do my best.

Q: What’s it like being on a team that is so closely bonded?

A: It’s nice being on a team where we all think of each other as

a family. It’s like we all help each other get through our hard times, and run as a family, not as individuals.

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Sports | Friday | Sept. 27, 2013

Football team’s efforts pay off with 62-36 win

by Jenessa Corbet

reporter

The Thunderbirds have made a comeback this season.

The boys dominated Cunningham Sept. 14 with a score of 62-36.

The last game won by the T-Birds was on Oct 14, 2011.

The boys played against South Central and ended the night with a score of 59-14.

The head coach is quite proud of his group of warriors.

“They have worked very hard compared to last year’s disappointing season,” head coach John Novotny said. “Last year’s guys have stepped up in leadership and that will be successful down the road.”

He hopes that the football team will continue to improve as a more complete team. Not to rely on one or two players, but to be successful no matter who’s in the field.

“The goal, at the moment, is to get better each day,” assistant coach Andrew Nation said.

Novotny and Nation like to see a new team every year work together and progress as the season continues.

The coaches aren’t the only ones who have faith in the team.

“We’ve learned a lot from last year. We’ve gotten bigger and tougher,” senior captain Brandon Abbott said. “The goal is to win all district games.”

Senior captain Cole Patterson has 158 rushing yards after three games. The other captains of the team are juniors Landon Lee, Dustin Weber and Daniel Hacker.

Otis-Bison has lost all three games this season and played against St. John, Central Plains and Hoxie. Tonight, the boys have an away game against Otis-Bison at 7 p.m.

Seniors lead volleyball team forward

by Abby Giles

reporter

As the 13-1 volleyball team’s season moves full speed ahead, the six returning seniors have stepped up and filled leadership roles.

“I feel so fortunate to be around an older group of girls who are great leaders and supporters,” freshman varsity player Kamryn Stark said.

Since most of these seniors have had three years of experience playing high school volleyball, they bring back many necessary skills to fill those leadership roles. They have the playing experience needed to not only be a good example to underclassmen, but to help out with advice.

Head volleyball coach Summer Younie says that the seniors show leadership by the work ethic they demonstrate. She says that all six of the senior girls work tremendously hard.

They are positive and have high expectations for the underclassmen. This helps to hold younger players accountable.

“As a senior, I try to help any underclassmen who look confused or ask for it,” senior varsity player Taylor Tobin said.

After playing all four years of high school, Tobin said that she

remembers how confusing it can be at first and how beneficial it can be to have a senior around, able to help out when needed.

Younie says that Taylor DeWeese and Tobin really stand out in the leadership that they show. They came out during practices and weights during the summer, which was just one example of their work ethic.

Younie said that DeWeese and Tobin constantly work hard and their improvement inspires younger players. She said underclassmen respond well to them because they always have a smile on their face.

“A lot of girls are natural athletes, but the Taylors have worked hard, and that makes them relatable,” Younie said.

Younie says that Janessa Davis is also an example of someone who plays hard all of the time.

Seniors lead the team in how to act on and off the volleyball court. Leadership displayed during practice can also be seen in the hallways at school.

“We wouldn’t be where we are without any of the seniors,” Younie said.

Younie has high expectations for this season, and the girls aspire to complete another trip back to State volleyball in Emporia. Younie would like to

Junior Alyssa Swonger and senior Taylor DeWeese play against Attica in the Sept. 24 home match. photo by l. maloney

see them win the Kiowa County Tournament and compete well at the Garden Plain Tournament.

She also believes that they can be undefeated in League play and hopefully win the league tournament.

Right now, Younie says that one thing the team needs to work on is being consistent.

“I think that we can do really well and should definitely be able to return to State,” Tobin said.

The volleyball team has made it to the state volleyball tournament the past two years.

Previously at State, the girls placed fourth in 2011. Although the team made it to State last year, they didn’t place in 2012 because they didn’t qualify for finals. This past August,

they were ranked fourth in 2A pre-season rankings.

“If the girls play as well as I know they can, they should not only be able to make it to State, but also place at State,” Younie said.

She said the team is made up of a really fun group of girls.

“I feel like we all get along a lot better than in the past and are an all-around strong team,” Tobin said. “I’m super-excited for the season and can’t wait to spend time with the girls and get to know them better.”

Be watching the girls as their season progresses. Their next game is a Junior Varsity and Varsity tournament at Kiowa County on Sept. 28. It starts at 9 a.m. Come out, support them and cheer them on to victory.

the boys’ and girls’ teams win League,” Fisher said.

The team is a close-bonded family with blood ties adding to that. Eight members are siblings.

The Giles, Corbets, Ghumms and Ibarras get the opportunity to support each other as teammates, as well as siblings.

“It feels normal being on the same team as my brother,” sophomore Roman Ibarra said. “We push each other to be better, if he can keep up with me.”

As in all families, there is also tension, but that hasn’t caused

issues between runners.

“It’s not as fun being on a team with my brother because he’s pretty fast and there’s a lot of competition,” sophomore Miranda Ghumm said.

The results so far please Freeman, as well as the way the team is working together.

At the first meet, the boys’ team took second place and the girls took fourth. At the home meet on Sept. 12, the boys took first and the girls took fourth once again. The next meet is on Oct. 3 at Pratt.

Cross country adds middle school runners to their family

by Kaitlyn Stark

reporter

With the 2013 season underway, the cross country team added new members to their family to add to their success.

For the first time, middle schoolers have been able to be a part of the team. With the three middle school runners and 18 high schoolers, the team has doubled in size in the last two years.

“I think that we all do a great job supporting each other at races and pushing each other to do our best during our tough

workouts,” three-year State qualifying senior, Brooke Fisher said. “I’m going to miss all the silly antics and the love my cross country family has for each other.”

With four returning seniors, expectations for the season are high. Head coach Lynette Freeman said she expects the same things as last year. She has high hopes of taking both a boys’ and girls’ team to State.

“My individual goal is to be 2A State Champion, and my goal for the team is to have both

Friday | Sept. 27, 2013 | Sports

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1.

2.

Seniors Brandon Abbott and Brooke Fisher

3.

Seniors Cole Patterson and Janessa Davis

Juniors Dustin Weber and Shandis Myers

Sophomores Bryce McKennon and Betsy Giles

Candy Land Fall Homecoming 2013 1. As part of the junior class skit, junior Chanler Simar plays his role as king in the “King of Candy Land.� 2. Senior Tanner Schonfeldt, along with three other seniors, participate in the gumdrop race during the homecoming pep assembly. 3.

Prior to being announced as Fall Homecoming king and queen, seniors Ethan Ailstock and Abby Giles get introduced in the afternoon ceremony. 4. Helping to fill a bucket with water for a class competition to earn points for her teammates, freshman Mackenzie Cason runs with a smile. 5. The backdrop was put together by the Pep Club for the homecoming ceremony.

4.

5.

Freshmen Chapmen Simar and Kamryn Stark

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Feature | Friday | Sept. 27, 2013

Friday | Sept. 27, 2013 | News

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