Excitement runs rampant at WHS as the girls basketball team returns to the state tournament. A big shout out to those who made the trip to Marion to watch the girls at substate. The WHS Pep Band will be heading out to Hays on Thursday to support the girls. We need as many people as possible to show up and support the team. The game begins at 3 p.m. at the Fort Hays Gross Memorial Coliseum. With a win the girls will continue Friday and Saturday.
All-State choir and band
All-State band and choir had great representation from our district. Students included Duke Beggs, Conrad Cassell, Jordan Meseke, Keaton Mulanax, Scilynn Gros, Lanson Parry, Maverick Havenstein, Annie Wright, Dee Glotzbach, Jazlyn Posch, Rhett Parry, Isabelle Stuhlsatz, Isaac Meyer, Emily Meyer, Payton Wurtz, Ava Huske, Parker Holthaus, Rayona Munoz, Jessica Vanstory and Sarah Vanstory.
League Band and Choir and Combined County Concert
Tuesday, our musicians competed at the League Band and Choir contest at St. Marys. The WHS band and choir competed in the morning with individual soloists competing in the afternoon. Following League, WHS hosted the annual county concert with the Mission Valley band and choir. The band and choir both work hard, so it’s great to get an opportunity to see them perform.
Spring Sports Underway
Baseball, softball and track began last week. Both baseball and softball have been practicing inside due to frigid outdoor temperatures. Some practices have been in the morning due to the girls basketball team’s postseason success. Track has been enduring the cool temperatures in preparation of future outdoor meets. All teams are excited to begin the season and we hope outdoor practice will be a possibility after spring break.
April 8 changed to school day
The April 8 professional development day is now a school day in order to make up time lost due to snow days. We never thought we’d say this, but we’re sick of snow days. It’s really hard to learn in a class you only attend once a week.
Charger launches new podcast
The Charger staff has created a new podcast separate from the Senioritis podcast. The Charger staff created the podcast to address newsworthy issues in the school and explore how they affect students. To listen to this podcast, head to the Charger’s website or find us on iTunes under the Senioritis feed.. If you have suggestions of topics for future episodes, tweet @whscharger. Check out our first episode to hear our thoughts on potential schedule changes for next year, plastic surgery and more.
Secretary welcomes new baby
Congrats to Carrie and Brady Boeckman on a healthy baby! While we miss Carrie, it’s always a treat to have Mrs. Adams in the office every day.
Go cats!
Some of us are really pulling for the Wildcats this weekend. Especially Dean Wade, who is the hottest.
The editorial is the opinion of the Charger staff. Send letters to the editor to whscharger@gmail.com.
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.
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.”
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.”
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
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.
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.
