Volume39issue6

Volume 39, Issue 6

February 20, 2015

tbirdtimes.com

Watching a news story that appeared on KWCH, journalism students listen to superintendent Mike Sanders talk about consolidation.

The story was featured on KWCH at six p.m., and included the Skyline and Pratt school districts. photo by Caden Patterson

Exclusively Online

This QR code will take you to a video produced and edited by senior Layton Kenworthy, with help from senior Dustin Weber and junior Rion Westhoff.

The news piece goes into detail about the new school lunch program, and how it has affected Skyline.

What’s Inside?

Opinion...............pg 2 News...................pg 3 Feature........pg 4-5, 8 Sports.............. pg 6-7

Funding challenges state

by Austin Gilpin

Editor

Education funding has been a hot topic of discussion at schools across the state, as well as in Topeka.

On Feb. 5, Governor Sam Brownback announced a General State Aid reduction of 1.5 percent. That cut is going to save the state $28 million. Like all other schools, Skyline’s budget isn’t going to be as big as was expected at the beginning of the year.

“All schools took a 1.5 percent cut,” superintendent Mike Sanders said. “For us that was a little bit over $28 thousand.”

The cuts are intended

to help fill the state’s $344 million revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year.

“Right now, at the state level, they are having a terrible time with revenue,” Sanders said.

Sanders pointed to the deep income tax cuts, intended to keep money in taxpayer’s pockets, as the reason for the revenue shortfall. He said that Kansas revenue was like a three-legged stool. It came from sales tax, property tax and income tax, but the legislature and the Governor have been working toward eliminating the state income tax.

However, the Brownback

administration says that school funding has continued to increase during his term in office.

“Even after the reduction (to the increase), school districts are still getting $177 million more this school year from state funds than last school year,” deputy Communications Director for the Governor Melika Willoughby said in an email to supporters.

Governor Brownback echoed Willoughby saying in a press release “The dramatic increase in state education funding that has occurred over the last four years is unsustainable.” continued on page 8

Page 2

February 20, 2015

Enough with PDA in school

by Madison Golden

Reporter

Public Display of Affection is spreading throughout the school. Yes, we get that some students really like each other, but that doesn’t mean they should hang all over each other and annoy everyone.

It is becoming really bad and the teachers and administration do not enforce the rule like they should.

In the school handbook PDA is defined as “kissing, petting, and any physical contact that is offensive when conducted in public.”

I think that a hug is okay,

but anything more than that isn’t. We are a K-12 school and we are the oldest here, which means little kids look up to us and they do not need to see PDA and think it is okay, because it is not.

“PDA shouldn’t be done in school,” junior Payje Orler said. “It’s not for other people’s eyes to see. Do it on your own time.”

Orler is not the only student that is annoyed with other students showing PDA. “I don’t think that it has a place at school,” junior Lexie Maloney said. “It is distracting and gross to look at.”

Sophomore Emily Estes

agrees.

“It is annoying and uncomfortable,” Estes said.

Some of the couples do not think that it is a big deal and it doesn’t bother them.

“If you don’t like it, then walk away,” junior Rion Westhoff said.

Students should be able to walk to class and not see all the couples hanging or smooching on each other.

No one likes it.

So all you loving couples, please don’t stand in front of other peoples lockers and flirt. That is rude. People just want to get to where they need to go, without being sidetracked by your love.

senior year. The consequences of slacking off really can do a lot of damage to your future, so it is best to keep trying, and let your goals keep you motivated even though graduation is just a few short months away.

There are several reasons to keep trying and to not get too careless senior year. The obvious one is grades. The grades you get can make or break college admission and scholarship decisions.

One other thing to keep going is the fact that there is a lot to look forward to senior year. Some of those things include your final year of sports, the last two

homecomings and Prom.

There are many things you are going to do for the last time senior year, and not mentally checking out of school will make these activities much more enjoyable and memorable.

The temptation to start slacking, sleeping and not doing homework is strong, but it is very important to not let senioritis take over senior year. There is way too much at stake and a lot of things to appreciate. Just know that graduation is just around the corner, and after that, the effort you’ve been putting into high school for four years will finally pay off.

Senioritis takes grip on Skyline

by Austin Gilpin

Editor

Some seniors have started showing signs of a very common disease.

Showing up sometime senior year, especially after Christmas, and worsening after spring break, senioritis is a very real problem.

Urban Dictionary says that the symptoms include not doing homework, not studying, missing school and laziness. Usually parents, teachers and classmates notice the problems first.

The only cure for Senioritis is graduation, but it is important to not let the disease get the best of your

Staff Reporters ......Mason Brack Editor ................. Austin Gilpin Madison Golden Justin Hampel Justin Holtz Photographers...... Cooper Gates Layton Kenworthy Daniel Hacker Colin Little Sydney Koirth Caden Patterson Tyler Tobin Kamryn Stark Andrew Withers Adviser................ Judy Hampel

Opinion The T-Bird Times is an open forum for student expression. The mission of the T-Bird Times editorial page is to engage all students and patrons in a search for democratic solutions.

The T-Bird Times’ editorial voice, expressed in the form of editorials, columns and articles, is a part of that search, but only one part.

The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of other students, the adviser, faculty, administrators or the Board of Education of this district.

The T-Bird Times, a member of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and the American Society of Newspaper Editors, is published by the 21st Century Journalism class at Skyline High School, 20269 W. Hwy. 54, Pratt, Kan., 67124. The T-Bird Times is printed inhouse and distributed to high school students and staff. The pages can also be found online at www. tbirdtimes.com.

The T-Bird Times will strive to live up to the highest standards of professional journalism. The T-Bird Times endorses the First Amendment of the Constitution and will not publish material that could cause disorderly conduct or invade the rights of others. Any material that is not original will be given full credit, and The T-Bird Times will acknowledge any mistakes by correcting any errors that are brought to the attention of the staff.

The staff welcomes letters to the editor from patrons and students.

Letters to the editor must be signed and the staff reserves the right to edit letters for libel and grammar.

News

February 20, 2015

Page 3

Gaining freedom through hard work

by Justin Holtz

Reporter

A big part of high school is gaining more responsibility along with more freedom.

Many students express that new found freedom and responsibility by getting a job.

Many teenagers in Kansas work on farms during the summer.

In a school survey, roughly three-fifths of students have a job and usually keep that job throughout the year.

Having a job means having a flow of income that is not their parents money. Earning money can give feelings of pride and accomplishment about the hard work that it took.

“I don’t like to ask my parents for money,” junior Rion Westhoff said. “Since I’ve

gotten a job, I don’t have to ask them anymore.”

Usually when teenagers get their first job they save up for whatever they’ve always wanted to buy or they can also have more freedom to go places that

cost money. When teenagers have jobs and are earning money, they have more authority over what they want to buy for themselves.

In the survey, it was split between the amount of students that have a part-time

How long have you had your job?

job and those that have a full-time job. Most students either worked on farms or in restaurants and stores.

Some students have a work-release in the afternoon, which allows them to sign out of school and go to work. It is usually for students that have all their required credits done or almost done.

“I love leaving school at lunch,” senior Joaquin Corona said. “I get to go make a ton of money while the other students are stuck at school until 4 o’clock.”

Having a job is a major responsibility and can be hard work sometimes. High school is the time when most people join the workforce and start to figure out what type of career suits them best.

Students get head start on college

by Mason Brack

Reporter

Some Skyline students found a way to get a head start on their college education while still in high school.

Students have found different ways of doing this. They can take online classes here at the school, go to PCC’s campus and take classes, or take dual credit classes.

“I decided to take dual credit classes to help prepare myself for college next year,” senior Khaleb Cason said. “I figured the more classes I took here at Skyline the easier the transition into college next year at PCC would be.”

Students that choose to take college classes while

still in high school have to work on their time management skills.

“I like going to PCC for classes because I feel like it’ll be a jump start to when I actually go to college next year,” senior Alyssa Swonger said.

Online classes are convenient because students can complete them while at school. On-campus classes, students have to leave school or go after school to complete them.

“Going into college ahead is always a good idea, however it takes dedication and drive which is hard when you’re involved in all the activities of high school,” Sawyer Virtual Academy supervisor Meagan Householter said.

Another option is to take

dual credit classes. A dual credit class is a class where students earn both a high school and college credit for the course.

The benefits to taking dual credit courses are students can save money by taking the class for free and not having to take the class again later on in college.

Some dual credit classes students can take here are Composition I, Composition II, Accounting I and II, Computer Applications, College Algebra and Trigonometry, Statistics, Precalculus and American Government.

Taking college classes in high school helps students get a head start in moving forward in their education.

The classes can help motivate students to keep moving on to a dream career.

Online classes allow students such as myself to prepare for college on my own schedule.

- Lucas Cason, 11

Page 4

February 20, 2015

T-Birds of Yesteryear

by Kamryn Stark Reporter

The Pep Club committee voted and selected the Winter Homecoming theme “T-Birds of Yesteryear.” Each class chose a separate theme for their floats that had been used by previous students.

The freshmen chose “Danger Zone,” sophomores chose “Livin’ on a Prayer,” juniors chose “Paradise City” and seniors chose “Thunderstruck.”

Last week the classes competed against each other once a day to earn points. Monday’s competition was a crossword puzzle. The next day a male and female from each class completed an obstacle course.

Wednesday two students raced to be the first to be dressed

in basketball clothes, make a layup and race down the court.

On Thursday, the final day of competition, the entire classes tried to solve seven riddles.

After the competitions, the class that came in first was the juniors with 511 points, second place was the freshmen with 474 points, third place went to the seniors with 378 points, and the sophomores were last with 318 points.

Friday each class got four hours to work on their class float. Each float had to include secret elements that Pep Club sponsor Summer Younie picked for them, so the kids would have to use their imagination. The floats were voted on by patrons attending that night’s game. The junior’s got the the most votes.

“My favorite part was working on the float together and trying to figure out how to use all of the secret ingredients,” sophomore Drew Thornburg said.

At the homecoming assembly, the court was announced and classes competed in skits.

“My favorite part about being in homecoming was walking in the gym at halftime of the boys game with my dad,” sophomore attendant Emily Estes said.

After the votes were counted, Katherine Ghumm won homecoming queen, and Layton Kenworthy won king.

“It was really fun and exciting to win homecoming queen, but it was strange to have people calling me queen afterwards,” Ghumm said.

Senior Candidate

Senior Candidate

Senior Candidate

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Feature

February 20, 2015

Page 5 1. Skyline High School King, Layton Kenworthy and Queen, Katherine Ghumm claim their new title. The first grade attendants were Jackson Piester and Raven Cason.

2. During a class competition, juniors Lucas Cason and Bryce McKennon work together to fully dress a basketball player. Then the basketball player had to make a lay up and then run back to the baseline and sit down.

3. Trying to get through the obstacle course with a fast time, senior Katherine Ghumm crawls through the mats and then has to barrel roll to the finish line.

4. After somersaulting down half of the gym, junior Miranda Ghumm jumps over the next obstacle. Ghumm competed with Brady McComb.

5. During the homecoming assembly, freshmen Josh Nelson and Carson Lee act out their class skit. The freshmen ended up winning second in the class skit competition.

6. Sophomores Jared Shriver and Matthew Giles competed in trying to dress the other in a Skyline uniform blind folded. The sophomores received last in that competition.

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7. The junior class skit came in first at the assembly. Juniors Bryce McKennon and Lucas Cason reenacted “Carnac the Magnificent.� photos by Cooper Gates and Tyler Tobin

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February 20, 2015

Page 6

Sports

Thunderbirds prepare for Sub-State

by Colin Little

Reporter

With the end of the regular season winding down, both basketball teams are preparing for Sub-State.

This year’s Sub-State will be hosted by the T-Birds.

The four other teams in it will be, Otis-Bison, LaCrosse, Macksville and Fairfield.

On the boys side of the bracket the top three seeds are still up for grabs, between Skyline 10-8, Otis-Bison 11-7, and LaCrosse 9-10.

“I am excited for SubState because I have never suited up and been able to play in one and the fact that we get to host it is exciting,” junior Alex Lutz said.

The only team that Skyline has played against is Fairfield, who they beat 7046. The other three schools have seen each other at least once or twice.

“We also have a good chance of winning it and

making it to State, which we haven’t done in a long time,” Lutz said.

If the tournament were to start today Fairfield would be the fifth seed, Macksville would be the fourth seed, and LaCrosse would be the third seed because of the number of losses they have. The T-Birds would be the second seed since they have less wins than Otis-Bison, so Otis-Bison would be the first seed.

On the girls side of the bracket LaCrosse, who is 145, would be the number one seed. Fairfield 10-8, would be the second, Otis-Bison 6-9, would be the third seed.

Skyline 2-16, and Macksville 6-14, would be the fourth and fifth seeds.

“I am excited for SubState,” junior Jessica DeWeese said. “I think that we are going to play well as a team, no matter who we play against and we will do our best to win.”

photo by Andrew Withers

Sophomore Drew Thornburg looks for a teammate to pass the ball to against Attica. The girls lost 50-26.

The Lady T-Birds will be facing off against Macksville again. They played against each other in the 54 Classic and lost 32-31.

The last two games are very important games for seeding, not only for Sub-

State, but if either of the teams advance to State as well. The T-Birds play at Central Christian tonight and host South Barber for the end of the regular season. Senior Night is on Feb. 24.

teammates.

“Someone called me Steph at open gym after I made a few threes because I’m a Warriors fan,” junior Alex Lutz said.

Some players go by their nicknames at school and on the court while others only go by them on the court and a few rarely go by them at all.

“I go by mine all the time at school and sometimes at home, mostly by my brother,” freshman Carson Lee said.

Not everyone goes by them as much.

“I only go by Ty in school by my coaches and a few

friends,” freshman Tyler Tobin said.

A lot of the guys have multiple nicknames, some appropriate, some not.

“I have four others besides seven-footer, but I probably shouldn’t say some of them,” Adams said.

Others can say all of their names.

“I have multiple nicknames because I’m called Brado a lot of the time at school and my sisters call me Bubba,” junior Brady McComb said.

Nicknames are a unique way to identify people and the basketball team has plenty of them.

Names: Boys carry on team tradition Nick

Daniel Hacker - Thunder Dan Justin Holtz - Princess Blake Lee - Super Colin Little - Sheron Tristen Hogan - Hogan Dustin Weber - Buddy Kasey Gilpin - 007 Alex Lutz - Steph Brady McComb - Brado Bryce McKennon - Big Bryce Trent Adams - 7-footer Matthew Giles - Mattwho Justin Hampel - Hamp Sheldon Miller - Miller Nathan Owens - Nator Logan Reece - Log Jared Shriver - Shiver Cooper Gates - Coop Carson Lee - Carten Tyler Tobin - Big Ty William Wiltshire - Willis

by Justin Hampel

Reporter

The boys’ basketball team has traditions that extend off the court as well as on the court, the most common one being using players’ nicknames.

Most of the fellas on the team got their nicknames from head coach Steve Little.

“Coach Little started calling me seven-footer in middle school because I was the tallest kid out there,” sophomore Trent Adams said.

Other guys got their nicknames from fellow

Sports

February 20, 2015

Page 7

Cheer clinic girls dance in assembly

by Layton Kenworthy

Reporter

photos by Tyler Tobin

Leading the grade school girls through a cheer, senior Madison Golden demonstrates proper cheer technique.

Kindergarten through sixth grade could join cheer clinic.

The high school cheerleaders taught the grade school girls on their own time after school. Prior to homecoming, they had only two days to learn the cheers and dance.

The cheer squad held its annual cheer clinic fundraiser for grade school children.

On Jan. 31, the squad began gathering with kindergarten through sixth grade children. They danced for the homecoming assembly and halftime of the boys’ basketball game.

The clinic brought school spirit to the lower grades and gave them the opportunity to be a cheerleader for the first time.

“It is really difficult having them stand still to learn the cheers,” sophomore cheerleader Madalyn Owens said.

Though it is difficult at times, teaching the dances for the children can be a fun learning experience.

“I think they like to get to work with the high school kids,” Lee said. “It helps build school spirit.”

One of the cheerleaders, senior Katherine Ghumm, liked the cheer clinic because of the time she spent with younger students and the chance it gave her to be a good role model.

“It helps them interact with each other more and it helps them break out of their social shell,” Ghumm said.

The funds gained from the cheer clinic were put into a general fund to help new cheerleaders buy uniforms and pay for summer cheer camp.

“I hope it translates to larger high school squads in the future,” Lee said.

The young girls enjoyed the opportunity to be around and dance with the high schoolers leading the clinic.

“I like being around my friends,” first grader Peyton Harts said.

This was Harts second year attending.

February 20, 2015

Page 8

Feature

Coworker, kid battle for who knows mom best

by Kamryn Stark

Alyssa Swonger, 12

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Celebrity Crush

Matthew McConaughey

Favorite Sport

Volleyball

Favorite Drink

Iced Tea

KU

Favorite Team Favorite Color Favorite Food

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Amy Swonger



Ryan Renolds

Shamar Moore

Volleyball

Volleyball

Water

 Blue  Mexican 

Wendy Burgardt

KU Blue Mexican

 Water  KU  Blue  Mexican 

Favorite Band

Mark Schultz

Taylor Swift

Blake Shelton

Dream Vacation

Bahamas

Hawaii

Hawaii

Favorite Movie

Divergent

The Notebook

Bride’s Maids

Biggest Pet Peeve

Senioritis

Messy House

Talking behind others backs

Favorite App

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Continued from page 1

However, the state’s attempt to fill the revenue shortfall will affect students here at Skyline. Sanders said 15 support staff will either lose their job, or have their hours cut.

The programs that will feel most of the impact include ESL, At-Risk, and Title services.

There are a couple other ways that high school students might feel the budget reductions. The Sawyer Virtual Academy is closing, and credit recovery won’t be available for students. Also, some elective classes won’t be available next year.

Sanders also expects another $53 thousand in cuts this year as the legislature continues to try to balance the state’s budget.

“I would stress to everybody no matter what they believe as far as political views is to make sure they contact their legislators,” Sanders said. “I think people need to touch base with myself, their local Board of Education members, and really find out how it impacts their district specifically. Look at all the information. It’s important to get both sides of the facts and specifically find out what’s going on in your local district.”

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