Category: Features

Drama class prepares for spring performance

Junior Brendan Dugger and senior Maddie Alderman rehearse at city park for the spring drama performance. The play is at 7 p.m. May 4 in the WHS auditorium. Photo by Karlee Swenson.

As the drama class enters final preparations for its spring performance, it doesn’t just have one play to prepare. It has two.

Instead of one full-length play, the class chose two one-act plays to perform. The plays, “It’s Not You, It’s Me,” and “Breaking Badly,” both feature a series of painful breakups.

Director Brendan Praeger said the plays were chosen because of the difficulties of rehearsing during the spring. “Between sports and other activities, we only have a few classes where everyone is present to rehearse. We chose these plays because most of the scenes feature two or three actors, so we can rehearse more independently,” Praeger said.

Praeger said the class didn’t find a full length play that met its needs, so two shorter plays with similar themes was the next choice. “It’s like a double feature,” Praeger said. “Both plays have similar themes and energy, so they fit well together.”

In “Breaking Badly,” written by Jonathan Rand,  ending a relationship is never easy. Desperate for a way out, Lily turns to The Breakup Center, where she can pick the perfect method from a selection of real breakups.

For the second act, “It’s Not You, It’s Me” by Don Zolidis follows several couples through their hectic breakups. From a secret agent boyfriend to a girlfriend who is a pathological liar, one thing is for sure — everyone is about to get dumped.

Maddie Alderman plays the female lead in “It’s not You, It’s Me.” “I’m running my scenes with the other members of the cast and we’re especially trying to get down the comedic timing to make the scenes as funny as possible,” Alderman said.

Adding to the challenge of performing a play in the spring, the May 4 performance might be the only time the class gets to perform the entire production at once. “A couple of cast members are at a technology fair for the dress rehearsal, so even that will leave out several scenes,” Praeger said. “They just have to prepare well independently so we can put on an entertaining show.”

The play opens at 7 p.m. May 4 in the high school auditorium. Tickets for the performance are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

— Jayna Keller, @whscharger

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STAR event teaches danger of e-cigarettes

Jessica Vanstory and Meredith Hess present their STAR project to underclassmen in the WHS library. “It was cool. I liked the way they talked to us as a group,” junior Jessica Hedges said. Photo by Emma Alderman.

Vanstoy and Hess qualify for nationals with presentation

Seniors Jessica Vanstory and Meredith Hess took on a project to spread public awareness of vaping.

To spread the awareness, Vanstory and Hess entered in the Illustrated Talk for their FCCLA STAR Event. Illustrated talk is a competitive event that includes an oral presentation for issues that concern the community. Vanstory and Hess said that their idea started when the vaping drama happened at the school.

“I think the topic is very timely because it’s important for teens to know the effect of e-cigarettes on their body,” FCCLA adviser Diane Breiner said.

Illustrated talk includes researching a project and then creating a visual. For the research, Vanstory and Hess compared the Kansas statistics of high school students to WHS students through an anonymous survey.

“I liked doing the survey because it was interesting to find out the stats of our school,” Vanstory said.

The competition requires a presentation to the targeted audience at least three times. Vanstory and Hess presented to FCS and English classes and were later asked to present to all WHS students by principal Jan Hutley.

“I think it was a timely and relevant topic for all students in the junior high and high school and the importance was definitely highlighted in the harmful, chronic effects of electronic cigarette use,” Hutley said.

Vanstory and Hess said they enjoyed this STAR Event because it was simpler and got to use their creative skills.

“I liked making the board because we got to be creative since nothing was actually required on the visual,” Hess said.

Hess and Vanstory took their project to state FCCLA this week, earning gold. They will compete at nationals in Anaheim this summer.

— Kaytlyn Meseke, @Kaytlyn_nelle

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Senior English students create community projects

WHS college English students are demonstrating important life skills with their end of the year projects.

The seniors are working to create and present projects over something they want to improve in the school or community.

The project consists of different types of expository papers, such as persuasive, problem/solution and research.

“I chose this project for my college composition students,” English teacher Laura Delfelder said, “because it offers a more practical approach to why having the skills to write these essays is important.” After complete the project, the seniors will put together a presentation for the appropriate audience.

“The kids have picked some really interesting projects,” Delfelder said.

Seniors Dillion Spellman, Meredith Hess and Sean Dugger are looking to create a disc golf course with their project.

“It’s a wonderful, casual activity for family,” Spellman said. “It also gives kids in the community an opportunity for a course to practice on, and to spark an interest in disc golfing.”

Unfortunately, like many of the projects, a lack of funds creates problem to complete the project. “We are looking into different fundraising options for things like disc baskets and the cement,” Spellman said. “Since we plan to build the course at McKnight Park, we also will need to convince the community of this idea.”

Seniors Conner Brown, Tanner Imthurn and Alyssa Lohmeyer have another project that will need much convincing.  “Our project has to do with building a new school in McFarland,” Brown said. “ The new school will hold all grades, K-12.”

Even though they may not be able to complete the project by themselves, the seniors are doing plenty of research to convince their audience of why this school is a better alternative.

“We have met with an architect to see if our idea is even possible,” Imthurn said. “With this new school, we believe it will create more unity throughout our district.”

Overall, WHS seniors are optimistic about what they will learn from their projects.

“By interviewing people and having to look at all aspects of the problem, we are able to improve our ability some important life skills,” senior Maddie Alderman said.

— Abby Oliver, @AbbyOliver

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Alderman cutting 3-minute quizzes to 2.5 minutes

Math teacher Roger Alderman announced plans Monday to reduce the 3-minute quiz to 2.5-minute quiz following schedule changes next year.

With the news of the impending schedule change, math teacher Roger Alderman has announced that he will be amending the infamous 3 minute quiz policy to account for the shorter periods of the 21 class schedule.

Alderman hopes to effectively save time in class with the shorter quizzes. “I’m all about efficiency, and by cutting thirty seconds off I hope to increase the amount of work done in class,” Alderman said.

Happy April Fools from the Charger!

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Investigation fails to link junior Dan Flach to collusion with Russia

After an extensive investigation that spanned several months, WHS administrators have finally completed their investigation of Russian Collusion with junior Dan Flach.

Flach stood accused of colluding with Russian hackers to plagiarize a book report on “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

While the full report on the investigation has not been made available to the public, administrators released a 4-page summary of their findings Friday evening.

“While we were not able to prove collusion beyond reasonable doubt, the report does not exonerate Flach.

Flach released a triumphant statement on Twitter Saturday morning. “No Collusion, No Obstruction, Complete and Total EXONERATION. KEEP Wabaunsee GREAT!” Flach said.

Flach has criticized the investigation for months. “The Fake News Media has lost tremendous credibility with its corrupt coverage of the illegal English department Witch Hunt,” Flach said.

While the investigation was unable to pin anything to Flach, several detentions have resulted from the process. Flach adviser Bryce Tharman was caught meeting with Russian intelligence officers near the Alma water towers. He was negotiating access to Russian Sparknotes and a copy of the DVD version of the story. Unfortunately, investigators were not able to prove Flach’s knowledge of the meeting.

Flach criticized the WHS Charger for its coverage of the investigation. “The Mainstream Media is under fire and being scorned all over the World as being corrupt and FAKE. For two years they pushed the Russian Collusion Delusion when they always knew there was No Collusion. They truly are the Enemy of the People and the Real Opposition Party!” Flach said.

Happy April Fools Day from the Charger!

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Wabaunsee to cut all sports to fund building repairs

Wabaunsee has been struggling for many years with many different maintenance problems around the school. Some include holes in ceiling, broken boilers and a broken awning.

As a solution, USD 329 decided to cut all sports from the school district to fund required maintenance. Board members argued that the educational growth of the students was more important than athletics.

Between the money from buses, coaches, uniforms and hiring officials, the school anticipates a savings of about  $1,300.

“This is really great. Reading is why I am here, I love not having the distractions of sports,” junior Hannah Mumpower said.

The students will have more time to take on different clubs and activities offered by the school. Students can now take poetry reading, attend more choir and band rehearsals and meet new friends.

“I will miss going to volleyball games but I’m more excited to see poetry readings and more concerts,” parent Angie Barber said.

— Laurel Barber, @Lawl_e_20

 

Happy April Fools Day from the Charger!

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Wabaunsee to change Charger mascot to Watusi

The USD 329 board is bored of Charlie the Charger.

A group of concerned community members addressed the board last week, arguing that the Charger logo was little more than a blue mustang. They also expressed concern that the Charger, typically a war horse, was too violent a mascot for the peaceful Wabaunsee community.

The board members discussed several options including anteaters, whales, worms and waterfowl. After more than seven hours of debate, the board voted 7-0 to adapt the new mascot: the Watusi.

Watusi Design
The new WHS logo will appear on football helmets and uniforms next season.

 

A watusi is a breed of domestic cattle characterized by very large horns. Watusis tend to stick together along with being an active and social species. The board gravitated towards the animal because its characteristics represent Wabaunsee’s students well.

“I think a watusi is an odd choice for a mascot, especially since I’ve never heard of one, but it makes our school different and I think that’s cool,” freshman Brayden Meseke said.

Not only is the Watusi an animal, but was also a popular dance move in the 1960s. The board members thought this was a plus because the cheerleaders could now do the dance while the pep band plays “Wah-Watusi” by the Orlans to pump up the crowd.

“I always liked dancing to “School Spirit”, but I think this change will be good and make our school unique,” junior Jordan Magette said.

FFA adviser Danny Davis is excited to begin raising Watusis as a school project. “If they graze on the practice field we can also save on mowing costs,” Davis said.

To change the mascot many modifications will be needed around the district, but the board is aware of the cost for these modifications. To do so small funding cuts will be made throughout the summer before the start of the school year.

— Kaytlyn Meseke, @Kaytlyn_nelle

 

Happy April Fools Day from the Charger!

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WHS prom to provide drama counselors

Due to excessive conflict between students in previous years, drama counselors will be on standby at the Wabaunsee High School prom next weekend.

Between strenuously searching for the perfect dress, competing to snag a date and worrying about whether your crush will dance with someone else, prom season is a time of constant anxiety and anger, which has led to some relatively traumatic experiences in the past.

According to numerous studies cited on Instagram, a student’s mental health suffers due to the drama associated with prom night, or “proma.” The Junior prom committee has reached a solution.

Students at prom this year will have access to counseling to help them deal with any traumatizing proma.

“We’ve seen firsthand how mortifying prom can be. We hope that providing students with on-site counseling will reduce some of the long-term effects proma can have,” junior Kaytlyn Meseke said.

Sophomore Karlee Feyh, who attended Prom 2018 with senior Jarett Bolinder, is still recovering from last year’s proma. Jarett, who was sick on prom night, showed up in a suit covered in dollar bills. The entire way there, he blasted “Elvira” by The Oak Ridge Boys on a loop. During the pictures, he refused to take any with her. He just took them of himself in his money suit, and the ones Karlee’s family took, he cropped her out of.  It was pouring rain that day, so, like a gentleman, he brought an umbrella. However, he needed all of it to protect his precious suit, so she just stood there, sopping wet.

“I’ve had nightmares about that day. He even had the audacity to eat his pasta with a salad fork. Every time a see an umbrella or hear a country song, I have panic attacks I really think I could have benefited from having some sort of support system there. Proma? More like trauma,” she said.

— Kendyl Bolinder, @BolinderKendyl

Happy April Fools day from the Charger!

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Chicken Pattys to be served every day at WHS

Students have voiced concerns about lunches since August, and the school is finally taking action to improve the dining options at WHS.

Starting April 1, a chicken patty or spicy chicken patty will be served every day for lunch.

“Chicken patties are chosen every week which shows the student’s interest,” school delicioness consultant Chef Boyardee said.

The change will extend to first and second lunch as well as side options. Example changes include chicken and waffles being chicken patty on chicken patty, mashed potatoes being mashed chicken patty, pancakes with syrup will be chicken patty with syrup and so on.

“I just love chicken patties,” senior Luke Barber said. “It is like a dream come true.”

An exception will be made on Fridays where a single head of lettuce will be served. “It is what will complete the chicken patty in a vegetable food pyramid,” USD 329 nutritionist Diane Breiner said.

This change is believed to reduce cost of operating and storage. Fridges will be replaced with larger freezers to accommodate the increase in chicken patty usauge. A rotating circular chicken patty fryer will be installed to take away the need of transporting cooked chicken patties.

“I have to get a fryer for home,” senior Dillon Spellman said. “It could be a wonderful disc display and could be used to cook those delicious circular chicken concoctions.”

A chicken patty was asked to comment on the change but was promptly eaten by a bystander who couldn’t resist the urge. A spicy chicken patty was also asked but declined after a series of very spicy comments.   

— Sean Dugger, @seanduggre01

 

Happy April Fools day from the Charger!

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