T-Bird
THE
Times
Cheer takes on state competition
Hallee Burgardt...............................editor The cheer squad has set off for Topeka where they will be competing in KSHSAA’s first annual Game Day competition. They have been working tirelessly to get ready for the competition, which will take place tomorrow. The band has even helped out by recording one of the dance numbers for them. “I’m looking forward to spending time out of town with my friends,” junior Abby Ailstock said. “I want to show off our capabilities to all the people that are going to be there and I’m looking forward to just the whole experience.” The ladies are set to take the floor at 8:45 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11:45 a.m., all at the Topeka Expocentre. They are performing a routine to the song, “Land of a Thousand Dances” recorded by the band, a crowd involvement cheer and a routine to the school song, “Kick Off.” If the girls make it to finals they will have to add in an offensive or defensive cheer, depending on what the judges ask for. Finalists will be announced at noon that day and the final competition will begin at 6 p.m.
The 2017-2018 cheer squad includes freshman Kyrian Keeling, junior Madison Adams, freshman Mackenzie Wright, and juniors Abby Ailstock, Kayley Cook and Kami McComb. The squad is sponsored by Kim Lee. She has been coaching cheer for 25 years. Target teacher Melissa Jacobs has also been helping the girls get ready for their performance. “I’m really excited for the overall experience as well as them getting to watch other squads,” Lee said. The girls will be competing against schools within their classification. courtesy photo
School carnival date changed from May to November Bryson Fletcher staff reporter
The carnival has been moved from the end of the year to the middle of the year. Changing it to a different time of year made sense for many reasons. Many families were not happy with having the younger kids going from play day directly to the carnival. The month of May already had tons of activities scheduled, and the
carnival was an easy move for the schedule. At the end of the year, the tickets sales had also declined. “All those factors led the Carnival committee to look at the possible alternatives,” student support specialist Diane House said. Some people wanted this change for many years and the administration were completely supportive of making May slightly less hectic. Several
dates were looked at and the decision was made for November. Most of the proceeds from the carnival are split amongst the classroom teachers and the clubs that work the carnival or provide a raffle basket. “That money is then directly used for students, such as field trips and project supplies,” House said. Last year the committee tried to introduce some new games to keep interest high in
Skyline High School Volume 42 Issue 2 November 17, 2017
the carnival for more people. They had stock games that teachers and clubs could choose to use. “The new games are always welcome, such as the recently added games like Plunger Races, Cookie Monster and Football Throw,” House said. The prizes for the carnival include gum, small toys, food and pop. Any group could create a raffle basket. There will also be a silent auction.
High schoolers want Stuco Corbin Keeling copy editor
A student council is a group of students chosen by their classmates to organize social events and participate in the government of their school. This seemingly common club hasn’t existed at Skyline since 2011. High school principal Herb McPherson said “a lack of activity and meaningful decisions” is why the student council was disbanded. An active voice for the students would be a good idea because it would allow any student to be able to go to the council and have their voice heard. “I feel a student council would be a place students
could come with problems that they are too nervous to take to administration,” senior Carson Lee said. “I feel that it is something that this school needs.” For example, a problem that occurred recently included the scheduling of Senior Night and Winter Homecoming. Originally on the school calendar, Basketball Senior Night was scheduled on the same evening as homecoming. This made some students upset. One student had the courage to talk to the administration about the scheduling conflict. If there was a Stuco, this problem could have been easier to change, or avoided completely, because Stuco could have approached the administration on behalf of the student. “If there was a student
council students would have more say in activities and less bickering and complaining about decisions made by the higher powers,” senior Madison Tyler said. Students feel as if their voices do not matter. With a Stuco, students with problems would be more likely to talk freely with their peers to find efficient ways to resolve the conflicts. “A couple benefits would include students’ opinions being heard more and it would encourage more students to get involved in more activities,” Lee said. Besides giving a voice back to students, a student council would allow students to learn leadership skills, event planning, and a basic understanding of parliamentary procedures.
Part time support coordinator hired
Page 2 News/Editorial November 17, 2017
Sara Lewton is the new Student and Family Support Coordinator. Her role in this program is to connect with the students and families to give them the support they need in order for the students to be successful. She leads the efforts in the social-emotional learning components of the Kansas Educational Systems Accreditation process. Lewton is from Plattsmouth, Nebraska. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the Skyline team and helping students,” Lewton said. She has been working here since November 1, and she said students and other teachers have given her a great welcoming. She spent the last 15 years working in the mental health field with children and adults. Success for every student that attends Skyline is her goal.
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, 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 in-house 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.
Editors Copy.......... Corbin Keeling Design...... Hallee Burgardt Staff Members Reporter........ Ryan Adams Reporter... Bryson Fletcher Adviser..........Judy Hampel
Basketball girls start season strong Ryan Adams staff reporter
The girl’s basketball season kicked off with intense practices this week after a busy offseason. To prepare for this season the girls put in work by taking part in summer league, weights, basketball workouts and clinics ran by the boys’ head coach Kenny Eddy. Many players also participated in volleyball and track to stay in shape.
“We had a bunch of girls who got in the weight room during the fall to prepare for this season,” sophomore Kailey Hamm said. “We are also returning many key players from last year which I am really excited about.” The team has lost a few girls from last season including their leading scorer Kamryn Stark, but are returning three seniors and five juniors who all played big roles. There are about 20 players currently practicing.
“The first practice was pretty intense,” sophomore Jazmine Askew said. “We didn’t waste time getting started and got to it right away. I have a good feeling about this season if everyone keeps bringing it in practice.” The girls had two-a-day practices all week, which included sprints, press breaks and defensive drills. They have also been working really hard to perfect all of their offensive sets. “Most of these girls will try
to run through a wall for you if you ask,” head coach Morgan Ballard said. “If we can take that effort and hone it in on basketball skills and basketball plays, we will be a tough matchup for all of the teams in our league.” They have been working hard and will have a few more intense weeks of practice before their first game at home against St. John on December 1, followed by the T-Bird Classic tournament starting on December 8.
Basketball boys embrace changes in coaching Hallee Burgardt design editor
A coaching change up hit the boys’ basketball team this summer. Former assistant, Kenny Eddy has taken over as head coach for the first time. Eddy has been working hard in his offseason to get his boys prepared and has high expectations. Middle school social studies teacher Chris Sanders will be assisting. They have 40 boys going out. Eddy says that if the team buys in to defense then they can be scary good. They can’t stop every shot, but they are going to make it look like they are trying to. Attacking the rim harder and being able to make reads will be the offensive strategy. Another big point of emphasis both coaches push is getting in the weight room. “Everything in athletics is easier when you’re stronger,” Sanders said. “Hopefully the boys start to realize the benefits of creating a weight room habit translates to the court directly.” With three weeks left
until tip-off the team is going to work on slowing the game down with their defense and being more patient on offense to be prepared when they come out against St. John. “We have tried to outrun good teams in the past and it doesn’t work,” Eddy said. Both coaches had one thing they wanted the boys to work on, being intentional and forming good habits. “I want them to focus on their habits,“ Sanders said. “Good and bad habits will be shown on the court and off the court in the classroom.” Practices will be defensively orientated and twice as intense as games. This way the games will feel slow for the players. “I’m looking forward to being the hardest working team and competing with St. John,” senior Tyler Tobin said. “I want to work on improving my personal game and helping my teammates out as well.” With a week of practice under their belt the boys are still working hard and looking to improve every day.
Senior Tyler Tobin
Q: What is a team goal for this year? A: Winning Sub-State and making it more than one round in State. Q: What are you going to try and improve on this year? A: Helping the younger kids out and being a better leader. Q: What is your favorite part of basketball? A: Having good defense and getting stops, because a good defense makes the best offense. Q: What is your favorite thing about your coach? A: He pushes me to be the best at basketball and at everything I do off the court. Q: What one thing would you like to see your team do better at this year. A: I would like to see us operate as a whole team instead of individuals.
November 17, 2017 Sports Page 3
1
3
2
4
5
Carson Lee, Jade Downs • Carson Lee, Eli Temanson, Kailey Hamm • Eli Temanson • Jade Downs, Eli Temanson • Carson Lee, Jade Downs
The Princess Bride Josie Jensen “The best part of the play was how serious Jade took throwing himself off the stage. He had a real commitment to that scene. Kailey Hamm and I just tried to slide off of the stage.”
1. Fighting to the death Inigo Montoya and Westley duke it out with their swords. 2. Restraining Buttercup, Inigo Montoya and Fezzik hold her captive. 3. Hiding behind a giant rock Fezzik waits to launch a surprise attack on Westley. 4. Choking out the giant Fezzik, Westley continues the quest for his true love. 5. Comparing their steel, Inigo Montoya and Westley debate over who is the better swordsman. 6. Embracing with a side hug Westley and Buttercup hold each other after being reunited.
Jade Downs, Kailey Hamm
“My favorite part of the play was moving Jade around while he was pretending to be dead.”
“I wanted to play Vizzini because he is an entertaining crowd pleaser and he is short like me.”
Josh Hewitt, 9
Hunter Egging, 9 “Students help a lot with keeping the show running smoothly by helping each other with lines.”
Director Cheri Haskett
Page 4 Feature November 17, 2017
“I liked the dynamics of the character. How he acted noble but he was still a bad guy.”
Joshua Nelson, 12
“I really enjoyed learning more lines from ‘The Princess Bride’ and meeting new people.”
Adison Hampton, 11
6