WHS Student Publications staff picks favorite Christmas entertainment

With Christmas right around the corner, Christmas entertainment can be found in various forms such as music, movies, books and more. In the spirit of Christmas, WHS publications staff and advisers chose their favorite pieces of Christmas entertainment. Let us know your favorites on Twitter @whscharger.

Kaytlyn Meseke, newspaper

“The Polar Express” movie is my favorite piece of Christmas entertainment because it holds a special place in my heart. When my brother was being born, my aunt took me to the movie theaters to watch it and it was my first movie theater experience. I didn’t enjoy it much that day, and it still kind of scared me years after. But every year we watch it as a family and the suspense still gets me sometimes.

Hannah Mumpower, newspaper

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is by far my favorite piece of Christmas entertainment. My family and I watch it every year on TV at least once, if not more. It’s a really funny movie and is super entertaining. I’m pretty sure my brother can quote just about every scene in the movie. It also reminds me a little of our own family Christmases. They get a little hectic sometimes, but it turns out all right in the end.

Laurel Barber, yearbook editor in chief, newspaper

“Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas” is a classic but amazing Christmas movie. Every year the night before Christmas my mom would wrap all the presents and I would have to go into the back room to watch a movie. I would always watch the movie and try to be like Minnie in the ice rink.

Jayna Keller, newspaper

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is my favorite piece of Christmas entertainment. It’s such a classic, and when I was in sixth grade, I helped the younger kids in EL put on a production of it. Also they play it every year on TV, so I can just sit down with my little siblings, and enjoy a holiday movie. It’s an easy way to be able to relax with my family, without fighting about what to watch.

Abby Oliver, newspaper editor in chief, Senioritis host

Ever since my brothers and I were little kids, my mom would read us “The Night Before Christmas” book Christmas Eve night before we went to bed. We would get to open one present that night, and it would always be new pajamas. Then we would all sit on our couch, and listen to mom read The Night before Christmas. It just reminds me of Christmas as a kid.

Makayla Wagner, yearbook

My favorite Christmas movie is the classic animated “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” because it makes me laugh and my favorite part is when he started feeling and he asked Max to help him.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! — Pictured: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” — (Photo by: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.)

Sean Dugger, newspaper

Being more into music than movies during the holiday season, “Carol of the Bells” takes the place of my favorite Christmas entertainment. The song has been remade by many artists, which I believe adds to its enjoyment as everyone adds something a little different every time. My favorite covers include the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Pentatonix.

Emma Frey, newspaper

I liked all the animated Christmas movies growing up like “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “The Year Without Santa Claus,” “Rudolph,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Nestor,” and “The Grinch.” I never really got into any other movies when I was younger like I did with those. They’re just so good and I don’t think any Christmas movie will ever top those for me. They remind me of being a kid.

Eleanor Badeker, newspaper

I’m a big fan of all the classic Christmas movies, but for me nothing beats the Nutcracker ballet. My family owns an old version on VHS. The picture is kind of fuzzy and it makes weird noises sometimes, but it adds to the effect that has been a tradition every year. The music by Tchaikovsky is so beautiful. My mom and I always watch it during Christmas break and it calms us down amidst the craziness of the season.

Justice Houston, yearbook

I love all Christmas songs but my favorite is definitely is “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey. It’s my favorite because every Christmas season me and my friends always jam out to the song.

Melissa Campbell, yearbook

My favorite Christmas movie is the Christmas Chronicles. It’s a new movie on Netflix, and it has some comedic scenes.

Shantel Corp, yearbook

My favorite movie is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” My favorite Christmas song is “Christmas Cookies” by George Strait. It my favorite season because I get to spend time with my family.

Meredith Hess, yearbook

Christmas Hallmark movies are probably my favorite thing to entertain myself with during Christmas time. My mom and I waste time watching them, and I even watch them while I study for finals! They are really cheesy and the same thing happens in every single one, but I love them.

Dillon Spellman, Senioritis producer

My favorite piece of Christmas entertainment is the 2008 Hannah Montana Christmas Special. Even if it only exists in my mind, it has to be the greatest Christmas-themed piece of art to ever exist. Someday I might even get around to watching it.

Brendan Praeger, newspaper adviser

Rather than choosing something old, I’m choosing something new that I think will become a tradition in my family. Last week I watched “Angela’s Christmas” on Netflix with my two-year-old son Logan. The short animated film presents a story from Frank McCourt, the author of the Irish classic “Angela’s Ashes,” in which a young girl steals the baby Jesus from a nativity scene to keep him warm during a cold night. The movie is incredible, and since my mother grew up in Ireland it’s extra special. Logan has watched it half a dozen times already and his grandmother even took him to the nearby Catholic Church because he kept asking to see “Baby Jesus.”

Luke Barber, Senioritis host

My favorite Christmas movie is “A year without Santa.” I remember when I would sit on the floor in my grandma’s old house and watch it and sing along to the Mr. heat miser and Mr. cold miser song. My favorite Christmas song is from Charlie Brown, the Christmas time is here song, it’s just so sweet.

Maddie Alderman, Senioritis host

My favorite Christmas entertainment is watching my father watch “A Christmas Story”. He’s seen it about a million times, but still laughs at every joke. Also, if you watch closely, you can see him mouthing the words along with the characters on screen.

Amy Cassell, yearbook adviser

My favorite song is “Mary Did You Know?” because it’s pretty and my kids will sing it.

December 24, 2018 0

Students prepare for winter choir, band concerts

Emma Alderman, Tara Quintanilla, Bernice Poulter, Gabby Simmons and Kimi Buchanan sing during choir practice at WHS. The choir performs December 17 in the auditorium. Photo by Abby Oliver.

Concerts to feature Christmas classics

As Wabaunsee students prepare for winter concerts, one teacher is directing his first winter concert, while another is preparing for his last.

Maple Hill Elementary performs Tuesday in Maple Hill and Alma performs Thursday in the WHS auditorium. Both shows begin at 7 p.m.

Elementary music teacher Peter Ruby likes the challenge of directing young students.

“Young students definitely enjoy to wiggle when singing, but their enthusiasm is contagious. It’s apparent they love what they are doing and I am very excited for them to show their parents what they are capable of,” Ruby said.

The students will perform a selection of Christmas songs, including “Christmas Makes me Sing,” “A Gift for Santa,” “Bubble Wra,”, “Simple Gifts” and “Little Drummer Boy.”

“I have challenged the students, especially 4th grade, with difficult music and they have risen to the challenge,” Ruby said. “I’m proud of their hard work and determination, especially their perseverance through struggles.”

First grade students from Alma Elementary practice for the winter concert Tuesday afternoon in the WHS Auditorium. Photo by Sarah Vanstory and Hannah Ratts.

Wabaunsee Middle and High school teacher Richard Philbrook is preparing for his last Christmas concert before retirement.

“They will perform everything from traditional, like Carol of The Bells, to some modern-sounding arrangements with some new songs. A wide variety, from old favorites, traditional, to modern.” Philbrook said. “They’re working very hard, starting with the logistics, and fine tuning a couple of notes.”

— Jayna Keller, @whscharger

December 11, 2018 0

Scholars Bowl returns 5 varsity players

Seniors Jarett Bolinder, Jessica Vanstory, Luke Barber, fourth grader Keaton Mulanax, Dillion Spellman, Sean Dugger and Maddie Alderman pose on Halloween. Mulanax dressed as Bob Ross, the hero and mascot of this year’s team.

Scholars Bowl goes 3-2 at first meet

Scholars Bowl team started the season Thursday with a 3-2 record at the Silver Lake Invitational.

The team defeated Silver Lake, 55-20, Rock Creek, 60-45, and Topeka High, 50-10. The losses were to Burlington, 20-70, and St. James Academy, 40-50. The Chargers were tied for 2nd in the pool, but did not advance to the finals after margin-of-victory was used to break the tie.

The team of Maddie Alderman, Sean Dugger, Luke Barber, Dillon Spellman, Jarrett Bolinder, and Sierra Quathamer includes five returning members of last year’s team which placed 4th at State.

“We had strong first few rounds, they were very close. With five seniors we’re bound to do really well,” senior Maddie Alderman said.

The team will have plenty of practice time before the next varsity meet on November 29.

The JV team traveled to Frankfort on Monday. The team of Emma Alderman, Ryan Grutsch, Reagan Kelley, Mayah Mumpower, Justin Carlson and Grace Spellman finished with a 7-2 record and tied for second in their pool, but also lost due to a tie breaker. Carlson led the team with 250 points followed by Kelley with 100.

“It was an encouraging start,” coach Brendan Praeger said. “We don’t have a lot of varsity opportunities for underclassmen this year, but the JV meets are a great opportunity to learn how the meets work and to start developing strategy. We’ll have to work hard to reload next year.”

— Jayna Keller @whscharger

November 6, 2018 0

Hafenstine wins assassin

Jayna Keller, @whscharger

At the end of the day Thursday, freshman Kara Hafenstine was the only one left standing.

On October 11, the freshman class participated in a game of Assassin as a part of reading “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell in English 1.

The rules of the game were simple, each student received a target to hunt. Students could be eliminated using a clothes pin or by being tricked into holding a black spot.

Previous champions

2012: Jason Maciejewski

2013: Natalee Kates

2014: Sania Huda

2015: Erika Prue

2017: Raegan Feyh

2018: Kara Hafenstine

The game only lasted through lunch, when Kara Hafenstine assassinated Kyndal Maike. “I airdropped her a picture of the black dot of death which then killed her,” Hafenstine said.

A common theme that all students said they learned was don’t trust people when it comes to games like this. “I learned not to ever trust anybody because you will not be expecting them to pin you,” Aiden Boeckman.

Comments from the game:

“I learned how being patient helps with assassinating someone. My favorite memory was when Cade let me assassinate him. Kyndal eliminated me because I said don’t tag me instead of don’t pin me. My best elimination was when I hid behind a door then jumped out and got Justin. My assassinations were Justin then Cade.” — Eli McDaniel

“I learned that you always have to know your surroundings and that trust is key to friendships. My favorite memory was when Kyndal and Kara were trying to eliminate each other in the end. Ashlyn eliminated me between classes. My only assassination was Abby.” — Sarah Vanstory

“I learned not to ever trust anybody because you will not be expecting them to pin you then they will pull the pin out and pin you when you are least expecting it. My favorite memory of this game was throwing Hannah’s pin across the room when she pinned me. I did not have any eliminations.” — Aiden Boeckman

“I learned that a Cameron is a cheap son of a gun. I didn’t have time to make a memory, cause Cameron got me out by throwing his backpack at me.” — Gaige Smith

“I learned from assassin to never trust anyone and that our class doesn’t know how to keep their mouths shut. When (Mr. Praeger) said “don’t tell anyone who you have”, I should’ve listened. My favorite memory is when Justin got out first thing in the morning and he was salty the rest of the day. No one eliminated me because I’m the GOAT and no one can get me. My best elimination was my last one which was Kyndal. I airdropped her a picture of the black dot of death which then killed her. Assassinations: Richard, Jackson, Celia, and Kyndal.” — Champion Kara Hafenstine

October 18, 2018 0

Students attend SAFE conference

Jayna Keller @whscharger

Fourteen students from Wabaunsee High School SAFE Club attended the Kansas Teen Transportation Safety Conference October 2-3.

The goal of the conference was to help educate students on the dangers of distracted driving and the consequences of those decisions.

Students participated in five different sessions over the two days. Throughout the day, there were plenty of different speakers to listen to, driving simulations and different booths set up for the students to get more information.

SAFE has many different ideas for the upcoming year. The group plans to invite Miss Kansas to come speak to WHS, speak to the elementary schools on the importance of seatbelts and conduct seatbelt surveys to have an idea how many students actually wear their seatbelts. One of the sessions was for the SAFE teams to come up with new ideas for their school. “We are invited to learn ideas, more ways to be safe, new laws, changes in technology and ways we can inspire others,” SAFE Sponsor Marilyn Workman said.

October 10, 2018 0

WHS stays in class 2A

Jayna Keller, @whscharger

With an enrollment number of 148, Wabaunsee High School enters the year in the 2A classification.

The classifications shifted more than usual this year due to restructuring by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. According to WHS athletic director Jeron Weisshaar, the state wanted to reduce the number of classifications that had swelled in recent years. 1A and 4A will no longer be split into multiple divisions, and the discrepancy in enrollment between schools in the same class should be reduced.

Several 4A schools moved to 3A and some 3A schools dropped to 2A.

While football classifications were decided in the spring, the new classifications will affect other fall sports. Volleyball heads to Herington and Wabaunsee hosts cross country October 20. Girls tennis heads to Hesston Friday for the 3-2-1A regional.

Classifications

School/Class/Enrollment

Wabaunsee/2A/148

St. Marys/3A/201

Silver Lake/3A/206

Rossville/2A/163

Riley County/3A/224

Rock Creek/3A/268

Mission Valley/2A/161

October 4, 2018 0