Volume 41, issue 3, december 2016

The

T-Bird Times

Skyline High School • Volume 41 • Issue 3 • December 15, 2016

In the T-Bird Classic, sophomore Kayley Cook drives to the lane off of fellow sophomore Stephanie Holmes’s screen. The Lady Thunderbirds finished the tournament with a 1-2 record and took third place. photo by Justin Brown

Page 2 • Editorial • The T-Bird Times • December 15, 2016

Government classes hold school revolution RReporter aul Ramirez A revolution at Skyline High School started the week after the presidential election.

Senior students that were in government class participated in creating the revolution. The revolution started with a simple assignment. They were required to research five revolutions such as the American Revolution, the French Revolution and the Russian Revolution. They were then assigned to create a revolution on their own.

They were not allowed to write their name on the propaganda and they tried not to get caught. If the student got caught

putting up their poster, they were punished by getting a low grade and automatically lost.

They had to be creative with their ideas and make something that they felt Skyline should change or have control over.

“Some of the topics for the revolution were Chromebooks instead of iPads,” teacher Kenny Eddy said.

Another topic was to allow teachers control over their room thermostats. Students also wanted more electives.

This revolution got teachers involved too, and created a war-like situation between the students and teachers. The idea of the revolution was to get the

students to get a look into what a revolution looks like.

“If I can drive I can eat. Let us have open lunch,” senior Jake Shipley wrote on his revolution poster.

He was one of the few students who did not get caught.

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,” was one of Shipley’s main concerns.

There will be no changes due to the revolution at this moment.

Junior Jade Downs thought the things said on the posters were funny. “I thought they were actually trying do these things,” he said.

Editor ........................ Justin Hampel

Adviser...............Judy Hampel

Staff Reporters..........Hallee Burgardt Michal Cimerman CorbinKeeling Daisy Marquez Michelle Ramirez Raul Ramirez Jared Shriver Charly Spitzner Kamryn Stark Andrew Withers

Photographers............Nikolai Andrews Justin Brown Michal Cimerman Sherley Chavez Courtney Gamble Stephanie Holmes Charly Spitzner Mark Schmidt Madison Tyler Kayla Urban Jon Wiltshire

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.

December 15, 2016 • The T-Bird Times • News • Page 3

Two compete at Job Olympics in Lyons HReporter allee Burgardt

Senior Star Boley and sophomore Jace Riggs stand with their medals. Both recieved a first place finish. This was Boley’s first year and Rigg’s second. The two traveled with para Angie Tobin to Lyons to compete on November 18. courtesy photo

Job Olympics was a competition held between several different districts all over Kansas. There were competitions held that made students show off their talents. These competitions included things like counting and sorting money, folding towels and newspapers, and making beds.

They were allowed to compete in as many as five events that they choose.

The students who competed were senior Star Boley and sophomore Jace Riggs.

Boley competed for her first year in money skills-sorting, and Riggs in money skills-counting.

This was his second year. Both received first place medals.

“Boley was very excited and her motivation to do well rubbed off onto Jace,” teacher Melissa Hittle said. “Actually he had no choice. She made him practice.”

Para Melissa Hittle was also a big factor in preparing the

students for this competition.

“I do love these kids, and I am so proud of them and their hard work,” Hittle said.

They were given a scoresheet of what the judges would score them on so they could practice.

“Mrs. Tobin really pushed us to practice at home so we could do well,” Riggs said. “The competition will really help in the future with getting a job.”

The group traveled on November 18 to Lyons. Para Angie Tobin got to take the kids and watch them compete. There was also a dance and lunch held for the kids.

“My favorite part of the day was getting to go to the dance,” Boley said. “I learned a new dance and taught my para, Mrs. Tobin.”

“It was fun to watch the students win,” Tobin said. “It really gets them thinking about different skills they want to focus on in the future.”

Job Olympics helps those who participate by putting them a step ahead in the job world.

Musicians compete at district event KMEA, Kansas Music Educators Association, was a big musical event where kids from across Kansas showed their musical skills. Bob Lee, band and choir director, showed up with Skyline’s biggest talents.

On December 3, 236 choir and 116 band students auditioned for a spot in the main performance that was held in Dodge City. It was held for both middle school and high school levels.

Skyline’s district was the Southwest district, which was located from the east side of Pratt County to the Colorado border and from the Oklahoma border to around the Great Bend area.

Although most band kids

competing got their music in the mid-summer, most of their practice time was done in October where they could receive help from their instructors and other outside resources.

However, choir kids tended to only work on their pieces for six to seven weeks.

“I am super proud of these kids for all their hard work and the fact that they can compete with bigger schools like Dodge City, Great Bend and Liberal,” Lee said. “It’s a testimony for their hard work.”

Skyline had five kids go to the event, one for band and four for choir. The kids were freshman Brenna Dolezal, sophomore Adison Hampton, juniors

Carson Lee and Jade Downs and senior Trent Adams. This was Down’s third time attending at the high school level.

“I like to sing, always have and always will,” Downs said.

“I like being with that big of a choir and the music director was amazing.”

He described the environment of the event as a back and forth friendly environment that could be stressful at times.

Hampton was the only band participant.

“KMEA was amazing, really fun, and the atmosphere was fantastic, so we all got along very well,” Hampton said.

The songs sang at the event included five vocal pieces.

“Vision,” a song about what we love about life, “Fare the Well,” a piece about letting go of loved ones who have passed, and “A Gaelic Blessing,” which was originally written for the director at Shawnee Mission East. Two other songs included “Noel” and “Shout Glory.”

The best of the best from the district event will perform in Wichita in February. The results are still unknown, but Lee said everyone did a great job and they have a chance to go to Wichita where they will be competing with kids from all of Kansas.

Story by Corbin Keeling, Michal Cimerman, and Michelle Ramirez

Page 4 • Feature • The T-Bird Times • December 15, 2016

New Year’s resoloution thoughts Caleb Reece-9 I think New Year’s resoloutions are a good idea if they follow through with them. I personally have never made them because I would rather set a short term goal rather than a long term.

Gabe Flanders-10 I always say I’m going to have a resoloution but I never do them. I just tell myself I’ll fish one more day this year than I did last year.

Christmas around the world brings many new traditions from different countries It’s a special season with the best holiday of the year coming up this month.

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated differently by families around the world. It’s a time for giving, as we reach out to our loved ones and friends.

There are many traditions that families have in the US for this magical time of year.

“We usually wake up, go to church, open gifts, spend time with family, and eat a big meal,” freshman Steve Fisher said.

With the addition of a few foreign exchange students, this Christmas will give them a new experience compared to their past celebrations.

“We celebrate Christmas in Germany a little bit differently because our Santa comes on the 24th instead of the 25th,” junior Charly Spitzner said. “The little children sing a Christmas song to get their gifts.”

Senior Michal Cimerman from Slovakia also celebrates Christmas differently.

“We celebrate Christmas on the 24th like the rest of Europe,” Cimerman said. “It is a beautiful time when all members of the family meet at one place and spend these magical days together. During the day we watch Christmas movies. In the evening we eat dinner and then we get presents.”

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated by countries all over the planet, with just as many traditions, whether on December 24, or December 25.

Don’t forget this holiday what really matters, have love and spread joy.

Mason Jones-11 I don’t think resoloutions are a good idea becuase people don’t follow through with them. So I won’t be making any this coming New Year.

Montana Kocher-12 I think they are good for some people who are good at making committments. I won’t make any.

Leah Befort They aren’t effective because people don’t stick to it. I think you should make yourself do it. This year I won’t be making any for myself.

Michael Nelson I think resoloutions are a good place to start at the beginning of a New Year. I’ll make some this year, like telling better jokes.

Andrew Ramirez Resoloutions are just a way for people to disappoint themselves. You should make a goal when it’s time, not just at the start of the New Year.

December 15, 2016 • The T-Bird Times • Feature • Page 5 Girls’ basketball hosts school dance

The Lady Thunderbird basketball team puts on the snowball dance in the little gym. This was one of many fundraisers the team did this season. Admission for the dance was $5 and students were allowed to bring out-of-district dates. photo by Stephanie Holmes

T-Birds host annual choir, band Christmas concert MReporter ichal Cimerman Many people came to watch their kids, grandkids, friends or just to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere at the annual Christmas concert on Monday.

The big musical Christmas event involved about 50 kids in band and choir from middle and high school. They sang Christmas Classics under the direction of Bob Lee and Steve Novotny. The concert started at 7 p.m. and took approximately one hour.

The middle school band started the concert with “Candle of Hope” by Dougles E. Wagner.

They also played one traditional song called “Sing A Glad Noel.”

Middle school choir then sang “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin. Their second song was “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Johnny Marks.

After the middle school performances, the audience had a chance to hear the high school Mixed Ensemble. They sang four songs. The first of them was “Carol of the Drum” from 2002 by Katherine K. Davis. “Where are You Christmas”

by Jennings, Horner and Carey was the second

song. The other traditional song was “The First Noel.” The last song was “That’s Christmas to Me” by Hoying and Olusola.

“It’s fun to get to sing Christmas songs, even as a bass. It can be repetitive, but it’s always been fun,” sophomore choir singer Erik Ghumm said.

Junior Jade Downs performed the songs with the choir.

“I enjoy them and it’s nice to sing them with this choir, director and accompanist and it’s always fun to sing the classic ones,” Downs said about Christmas songs.

The musical evening continued with songs from the high school band. “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson was it’s first song.

Another traditional song was “African Bell Carol” and they finished with “A Christmas Tale (Beware the Krampus)” with help from technology coordinator Kim Ghumm. The song was written by Rendall D. Standridge.

“You can’t buy this on the iTunes Store,” freshman band player David Holmes said.

The admission was free so anyone who wanted to come and enjoy all the Christmas Classics were welcomed at the event.

The snowball dance was held on December 3, in the little gym at Skyline.

It was a fundraiser for the basketball girls arranged by girls’ basketball coach Morgan Ballard. At the entrance they charged $5 per person.

It was a rainy and cold day, but sophomore Sydney Graber still thought the dance was great. “It was really fun because it’s the first dance held at Skyline other than Prom in a while,” Graber said.

The girls hoped the snowball would be a great time to hang out and dance with friends. One of the senior girls came up with the snowball dance idea.

“Most of the music was the kind I listen to and it was really fun dancing with my friends,” Graber said.

There were quite a few people there and a lot of food.

“The dance was pretty boring, but my favorite thing about the dance was the food there,” sophomore Colby Shriver said.

Shriver thought for the first year of doing the snowball dance, it wasn’t bad.

Story by Michelle Ramirez For more information on the Snowball, check out this video on YouTube by reporters Matthew Giles and Sheldon Miller.

Page 6 • Sports • The T-Bird Times • December 15, 2016

Boys’ basketball team starts 3-2 KReporter amryn Stark The boys’ basketball team opened their season against the number one ranked team in class 2A, the St. John Tigers, coming out with a loss.

Unlike last year, the boys’ basketball team returned a bit of varsity experience. The boys’ team returned five seniors, three of which had varsity experience, along with four juniors.

“I feel like being one of my team’s captains is a good responsibility to have,” junior Tyler Tobin said. “I am also up for the task of helping my team improve, along with that, I am also very excited for this year’s season.”

The team has been preparing all summer for this upcoming season. Thirteen players on the team traveled to Kansas State University for a team camp to gain experience while improving on their skills. Many players competed in the summer league, MAYB, and got in the weight

room many times a week. Others also participated in coach Kenny Eddy’s skill camps, along with taking private sessions with him.

“I think that participating in all of the extra summer activities has given us a jump start for this season,” junior Cooper Gates said. “I think it brought us closer as a team by working with each other all summer.”

Last week the T-Birds faced Medicine Lodge, Pretty Prairie and Cunningham in the preseason tournament held at Skyline.

The boys ended up getting third in the tournament. There was a three way tie for first place between Medicine Lodge, Pretty Prairie and Skyline. The first place medals were awarded by the point system, which Medicine Lodge received. The second place was given out by a head to head instead of the point system, which Pretty Prairie received. Skyline ended up with third place. If first through third place were awarded by

Freshman Steve Fisher shoots a three pointer against Cunningham Saturday night. The T-Birds bounced back to beat Cunningham by a score of 59-28, the night after they lost to Pretty Prairie. photo by Charly Spitzner

points, Skyline would have gotten second.

“I didn’t think we played as good as we could have in the tournament,” Eddy said. “When it comes down to it, if we would have just taken care of our business we could have gotten first place.”

Although the team placed third, going 2-1 in the home tournament was better than they had done the past two years.

After only beating the Kinsley Coyotes last year by one point, the T-Birds redeemed themselves on the road Tuesday, beating them 67 to 35.

Ladies open season with single win Ladies begin with 1-4 record and third place finish

CReporter orbin Keeling The girl’s basketball team started their season on December 2 against the St. John Tigers.

They hung with them the first half, then the Tigers took over in the second half. This led to a Tiger win with a score of 52-25.

“Our main challenge right now is playing consistently at a high level, instead of having lapses of poor play during the game,” coach Morgan Ballard said. “I know that we will

continue to get better. I feel like the girls are buying into the fact that our team is in a learning process.”

The girls then played in the T-Bird Classic tournament where they took on Medicine Lodge on day one. The game ended in a loss for the girls with a score of 51-28. Senior Kamryn Stark shot three’s for the team in the three point competition.

Stark made 10 of her 15 shots in the competition. Sophomore Gracie Bricker shot free throws for the team in the free throw competition. She made nine out of ten free throws.

“We will improve throughout the season as a team,” Bricker said. “I think we have good

chemistry, we just haven’t played a lot together yet.”

On day two, they took on the Pretty Prairie Bulldogs where they squeaked out a win by a score of 39-38. In the three point competition, Stark hit seven shots, and during the free throw competition, Bricker scored 13 out of 20. On the last day the girl’s went against the Cunningham Wildcats. The game ended with a 44-29 T-Bird loss. During the three point competition, Stark made nine of her 15 shots, and Bricker made 16 free throws.

“I thought we did some very nice things during the tournament,” Ballard said. “We proved to ourselves that we are capable

of competing and winning ball games when we focus on the elements of the game we can control.”

Tuesday the girls went up against the Kinsley Coyotes and came up short with a score of 52-20.

“I really appreciate the effort that these girls give on a daily basis,” Ballard said. “They are great kids in and out of basketball and fun to be around.”

They play tomorrow night at home against Fowler and are currently 1-4.

“Wins and losses will not define us down the road, but how we treat each other and represent our school will,” Ballard said.

December 15, 2016 • The T-Bird Times • Sports • Page 7

Bowl season brings excitement AReporter ndrew Withers Arguably one of the best seasons of the year is now among us.

It is bowl season for college football.

After 14 exciting weeks of regular season games beginning in early September and a championship week, the best teams now advance to bowl games which will last until early January.

The team with the most local interest is Kansas State. The Wildcats will face off against Texas A&M on December 28th, after an 8-4 season.

“I like the bowl games because it gives you a chance to watch the best teams go against each other one more time,” senior Ty Montgomery said.

Watching football is one of the many hobbies that students are involved with in their free time. Some of their favorite teams can be rewarded for their regular season efforts by playing in a bowl game.

“My favorite team is Oklahoma State, and I am excited to watch them beat Colorado in the Alamo Bowl,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery watches all of the playoff games and around half of the regular bowl games.

The top four teams are selected by a committee to be put in the College Football Playoff.

This playoff format was started in the 2014-15 season. This year’s playoff will have number one ranked Alabama facing fourth ranked Washington in the Peach Bowl, and second

ranked Clemson against third ranked Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. The winners of these two games will face each other in the National Championship.

“I think that Alabama will win the playoff, but I think Michigan could beat them if they were in the playoff,” fresh-

man Thomas Sturgeon said.

Alabama seems to be the favorite due to their No.1 ranking, and the fact that they are the only undefeated team contending for the championship. Although there may be favorites, none of these four teams should be overlooked.

SPORTS Q&A’s Boys’ Basketball

Girls’ Basketball

Steve Fisher

Gracie Bricker

How’s the season so far?

It’s pretty fun. I got my first start that was pretty awesome. I don’t think we are gonna lose many games like last year.

What do you think you need to improve on the most?

My dribbling and my confidence.

What challenges do you think you’ll face this year?

Our Sub-State is very hard this year, lots of good competition.

Are there any major changes going from middle school to high school basketball?

The speed of the game is a lot faster.

Are you excited for the opportunity to play with the upperclassmen this year?

I am excited to play with them. I think it will give me a opportunity to learn from them.

Are the high school coaches much different from the middle school coaches?

Getting yelled at for the first time was pretty awkward, but it’s good to get the opportunity to learn from them.

What do you think you improved this season from last season?

Intensity and thinking.

Did you play varsity last year?

No, I didn’t, and it’s really fun playing varsity now.

How do you think you did in the preseason tournament?

I didn’t play well but I think I played okay overall.

How has the season gone so far?

It’s been a learning process.

What challenges do you think you’ll face this year?

We will need to learn to play with each other better.

Do you think you’ll have any trouble adapting to freshmen this year?

No, I believe it won’t be any trouble, but it will be harder.

How do you think the season will turn out?

I think we will end with several wins.

What do you need to continue to work on the most this season?

Reading the defense while bringing the ball down.

Page 8 • News • The T-Bird Times • December 15, 2016

After Prom hosts yearly run through Lemons CReporter harly Spitzner On December 2, the parents of the seniors and juniors held the Rudolph Run. They started to plan the Rudolph Run in August to raise money for After Prom.

“This is a race for the whole community, not only for Skyline,” parent organizer Judy Hampel said.

It was the sixth time that the Rudolph Run was put on. The runners started at The Peoples Bank on South Main Street.

They ran all the way down Santa Fe Road and through Lemons Park. From there they went through 6th Street Park and up to the public swimming pool.

They finished the race running on 2nd Street back to The Peoples Bank.

There were exactly 30 runners, but more were registered.

The weather was cold and rainy.

“We expected at least 37 runners,” Hampel said.

Some juniors and seniors helped with the Rudolph Run to earn hours to attend After Prom. They supported the runners and directed them the right way.

“It was really cold, but it was pretty fun to hang out with friends,” senior Brynn McKennon said.

Every runner got a T-shirt designed by freshman Charlie Shafer and the first place winner got a $25 gift card. The second

place runner got a $15 gift card and third place got a Chapeau gift card.

The best runner from Skyline was sophomore Erik Ghumm. He got second place in the male category. It was his third time to run but the first time that he was in the top three. One of the highlights of the run was the decorative Lemons Park Lights.

“It was a great race and the lights in the park were awesome,” Ghumm said.

The top three male winners were all high school students so they could not accept a prize.

The top three female runners were Andrea Taylor, Stephanie Thompson and Stephanie Wiese.

T-shirt Designer Freshman Charlie Shafer

Students prepare for ACT test at PCC JEditor ustin Hampel

the over four hour long test multiple times to try and get the best scores they can.

“The first time I took it I just With the third of six ACT test’s wanted to see what it was like, being completed last Saturday and the second time I focused for this school year, it was an heavy on the English section important time for high school which was my lowest score,” upperclassmen, especially senior Ty Montgomery said. seniors.

Most students are aware of As some students prepared the fact that the to head off to better they do college, they had •Ty Montgomery, 12 to take the ACT “The higher the score, the on the ACT, the to get admitted. better the scholarships so better the scholit’s kind of stressful when arships they can That can be receive. The first very stressful for thinking about it. It’s a test of skills, not knowltime taking the some while it’s edge, so any time studytest gives them nothing major ing focuses on testing an idea of their to many other techniques.” weaker subjects kids. and allows them to study more Seniors Brynn McKennon on those subjects to help imand Emily Estes both said that the first time they took the ACT prove their score.

Although students know that was more stressful than the they have to take the ACT to second time they took it.

Many students go through go to college, that doesn’t mean

they all like it.

“I’m not a fan of the ACT, because it’s not really fair for the kids that aren’t good at timed tests,” Estes said. “A better method would be for colleges to look at your core course subjects GPA, and how many credit hours you have by your senior year of high school.”

Other students support the test, but think that too much emphasis is put on it.

“I feel the ACT is only a method that identifies your test taking skills, not your intellect,” Montgomery said. “It’s a luck of the draw basis on how easy or hard your tests are. Overall, I support the ACT, but I don’t think it should be judged that harshly for college.”

The ACT is just one of the many things that are required for students as they prepare to head off to college.

Brenda Piester, TARGET teacher

“toThehaveACTtheseems most impact on determining college scholarships, but I would like to see scholarships based off more than one test.

”