Who Knows Christmas Best?

 

Title picture courtesy of timeanddate.com

Shooting for State

The OCHS Boys’ Basketball team strives for big goals

Article by Hannah Mondragon

The OCHS boys are at it again this basketball season. There are 25 boys out for basketball this year, and many are new players or freshmen. The practices have been going well and a lot of hard work is being put in by everyone.

Senior Manuel Friedlein, a foreign exchange student here at OCHS, was asked about practice. He replied, “I like practicing with the team. It’s pretty hard, but I’m happy at the end of the day when practice is over.” He was also asked about how he plans to make this season a very memorable time while he is here in America.  He replied, “I just will practice as hard as I can and just do my best in all the games.” And Friedlein is not alone in wanting to do well this season. Players of all experience levels, from beginners like Friedlein to long-time veterans of the sport, are looking to succeed this year.

Freshman Tyson Wilkins was asked about how much experience he has in basketball and he replied, “I’ve been playing basketball for ten years.” Wilkins was asked about his motivation in the sport and he said, “My father played college ball and I want to be able to follow him.” However, before he can get to playing college ball he will have to become accustomed to playing in high school, which is a far cry from junior high basketball. Wilkins was asked about that and replied, “ High school ball is a lot more intense and because of the age difference it makes it harder, but I think that we put in a lot of effort and I think we can make it to state.”

Although there is a multitude of freshman and a foreign exchange student, there are also many returners.  Junior Ryan Haskins, the starting point guard on varsity last year, is planning on this season going in an even better direction than the previous one, in which the boys made it to the Sub-State championship game. He was asked about how far he thinks the team will push to meet excellence and said, “I think we have a good shot at state. At practice we work hard but we can’t overlook anybody.”

This year the boys are shooting for state. With hard work and dedication it’s possible for them to achieve their goal. They have started off the season with a win over Council Grove and a one point loss in overtime to Coffeyville.  They will look to get their second win of the season Thursday against Central Heights.

Small, but Mighty

The Osage City Lady Indians’ basketball team looks forward to a fun year with its new coach

Article by Jake Butterfield

The Lady Indian basketball team is made up of just 11 girls this season.  This small number may seem as if it’s a great disadvantage to most, but to the girls the idea of a small team isn’t too bad.  “We all get to know each other better.  We know what each of our teammates is good at and we can hold them accountable for the things we need to work on,” commented junior Katie Testerman.  Despite their small number, the girls are excited to show everyone what they are made of.

Led by seniors Paige Pearson and Tori Tomlinson, the Lady Indians expect to exceed the expectations of all their followers.  “We want to make people believe in us and play to our full potential. Even if our record doesn’t show it, we all want to know that we did the best we could,” said Tomlinson.  Along with the lack of players on the team, the Lady Indians have another obstacle to hurdle this season.

For the second year in a row the girls’ basketball team will be under the instruction of a new coach.  Entering his second stint as the head high school coach, Mr. Chris Kirkpatrick brings experience and understanding to the team.  “He genuinely cares about each of us and wants us all to succeed, in basketball and in life,” senior Paige Pearson expressed about her coach.

The Lady Indians have started the season off with losses to two tough teams, Council Grove and Coffeyville, but they will look to bounce back Thursday when they take on Central Heights.   They look forward to seeing their fans in the stands cheering them on.

Because They’re Bright

OCHS Scholars’ Bowl works hard to improve

Article by Sarah Thompson

Random facts are the OCHS Scholars’ Bowl team’s specialty. Don’t know who invented the toaster? Ask one of them! Chances are they might know.

Joking aside, these students focus and work hard to memorize useful, specialized facts. Valued time is spent droning over fact sheets, books, magazines, and computers. Despite commitments such as homework and other activities, scholars’ bowl members push on to show what they know at meets.

Scholars’ bowl meets are held against other schools in a tournament setting. The team has competed in five meets and has six remaining.  Two team members, senior Madison McKenzie and sophomore Abby Gibbons, were asked how the year is going for them. McKenzie replied with, “I think that our team is doing well in regards to our personal goals,” while Gibbons simply stated that “it’s been challenging.” Their coach, Mrs. Luanne Jacobs, thought that members have been improving each meet.

These members have to study to improve, so McKenzie and Gibbons shared how they prepare for the meets. McKenzie spends her time learning new things, as she’s always been a studious person. Gibbons, on the other hand, studies with the group at practices every Wednesday.

The amount that scholars’ bowl kids study often earns stigmas for them within society. Most people believe that students who participate in academic activities like scholars’ bowl are “nerdy” or antisocial. Despite the insinuations and generalizations made by television, and maybe even other students, these kids push on and study hard to win.

The amount of preparation that the kids put in really does make a difference. “The ones that are serious about it are doing better; the ones who aren’t do about the same,” Coach Jacobs says.  However, even though some study, the answers aren’t always known to them. Both McKenzie and Gibbons feel that the category from which the question is being asked decides how difficult the question is for them. However, obstacles like that allow the individuals and group to grow in ability.

Students who join scholars’ bowl are strong minded individuals who have the capability to work and learn well in their environment and overcome restrictions that appear, no matter the stereotypes that are associated with this activity.

The Voice of OCHS

A large OCHS Student Council is working to make a difference in the school and community

Article by Aundrea Koger

In recent years, the number of Osage City High School Student Council members has increased significantly, due in part to the fact that OCHS no longer has elections for representatives (however, representatives must run in an election to fill an office position).  Joining StuCo just requires filling out an application in the spring that is available to any high schooler who is interested.  It allows more students to get involved, which leads to increased productivity within the council and the school, and a broader representation of opinions at OCHS.

With StuCo tallying in at nearly thirty members this year, the council has been able to become more active, putting on various new charities and programs.  In addition to sponsoring Queen of Courts, Homecoming, and the Mr. Osage pageant, OCHS StuCo will be involving USD 420 in a charity called “Monkey in my Chair.” This charity, which started last Friday, raises money for elementary kids with cancer, so that they can receive a stuffed toy monkey.  When the student is absent from school because of illness or treatments, the monkey will sit in the student’s chair in the classroom.  It’s designed to help keep the cancer patient connected with his or her fellow students.

Mrs. Kathy Camarena, the Student Council sponsor and guidance counselor at OCHS, noted that StuCo will also be starting a program called S.A.F.E.  This program, “Seatbelts Are For Everyone,” is being integrated into the district in order to encourage more people to buckle up. There will be routine checks, and prizes or rewards will be given out to students who are seen wearing their seatbelt.  And this is not the only program StuCo is taking up that recompenses students for being amenable.

Since Christmas is right around the corner, Student Council has decided to partake in the holiday spirit, not only by making the Mr. Osage Pageant Christmas-themed, but also by starting “Santa’s Nice List.”  Whenever a teacher or staff member sees a student doing something good, such as performing well in the classroom or being especially helpful or kind towards peers, they will put that student’s name in a jar and there will be a drawing for various prizes at the end of the week.

OCHS StuCo has always been dedicated to making improvements to the district and giving back to the students, as well as those in need, through incentive and charity programs.  And with two times as many representatives than in past years the Student Council has been able to take on even more projects.  The many members of StuCo enjoy working for the betterment of the school and community and accurately representing the opinions of the student body.  Many schools don’t have such an active and engaged Student Council, so Osage City High School is fortunate.  In the words of junior and StuCo president Kailyn Robert, “It’s nice to be able to have a voice for the school.”