Grip It and Rip It

OCHS golf team seeks success despite low numbers

Article by Hannah Mondragon

The golf season has finally come again. This year the boys’ golf team only has six members, but their hunger for success is not affected by low numbers.

Golf is normally seen as an individual sport, but in high school it’s also a team sport. At competitions golfers perform individually but add up all the scores to get a team score. The OCHS golf team is hoping that they can receive a good enough team score at regionals to advance them on to the state tournament.

Freshman Brayden McDowell was asked if he thinks they have a chance to make it to state and what could get them there, and McDowell replied, “I think we have a chance to make it to state. Our team has enough integrity and respect to make this the best year we possibly can. We practice well together and we joke around so it’s definitely been a different experience.” Being the only freshman may be a little rough, but so is dual sporting.

Junior Ryan Haskins is also a part of the golf team even though he’s in baseball as well. He was asked about what made him want to dual sport and he replied, “I really like both sports so I chose to do both because I know I have the ability to do it. It also gave me another opportunity to try to make it to state.” Haskins was then asked about how he manages to practice for both and he replied, “I practice golf on weekends with my dad and my friends. Then I go to baseball after school.”

This year the boys may have a small team but they are hoping to have a successful season. From the sound of it, they are optimistic about their chances.  The Indian golfers will next be playing on Monday, April 27 at Shawnee Lake, so feel free to go out and support them as they swing their way to success.

Together as One

OCHS baseball focuses on working as a team

Article by Aundrea Koger

Much like every other sports team, the OCHS baseball team aspires to make it to the state competition.  “My ultimate goal is to go to state, because [OCHS] baseball has never gone to state,” said first year head coach, Mr. Bryan Sage, when asked about the team’s goals for the season.

In order to fulfill their aspirations of reaching the state tournament, the boys will have to compete.  It’s imperative that they win games, and lots of games at that.  However, Sage is tolerant of a loss every now and again as long as the boys play well.  “I’d rather lose playing well than be playing badly,” noted Sage.  It’s all about development, and learning to play as a team, and sometimes a loss is necessary for that growth.  Sage seems to be aware of this, ergo his primary goal, besides making it to state, is to have his budding boys of summer come together as one.  He would like to see them improve on playing with each other, not just individually. And he is not alone in these thoughts either.

When asked about the plan for reaching the state level, senior Lance Hultgren stressed the importance of playing as a team.  “We all need to come together as one,” said Hultgren, who is a four year veteran on the OCHS baseball team.  He’d like to see his teammates get on the same page, so that they can make the best use of their abundance of talent.

The 2015 OCHS baseball team is not short on talent.  A few of the boys will even continue pursuing baseball in college.  Hultgren, who signed with Independence Community College, and senior Jake Butterfield, who will be pitching for the Allen County Red Devils next year, are prime examples of the team’s depth.  Hultgren and Butterfield are team leaders too, and leadership and experience is commonplace amongst the rest of the team as well.  “I think we’ve got a good core of returning kids that baseball is their passion, and, ultimately, a good core of kids who know the game,” expressed Sage when talking about his team’s strengths.

An abundance of passion and experience will take this year’s baseball team very far when coupled with refined focus on coming together as one.  And no one knows this better than Sage, who, with an air of sapience, said, “Once we learn how to play together as a team, and play on the same page, we’re going to be lights out.”

Pitching for the Win

A young OCHS softball team strives for success

Article by Sarah Thompson

Sharing qualities with baseball, softball is a girls dominant sport. Typically played in the spring, the girls are already headlong into the season.

The OCHS girls practice diligently every day to, as Coach Tammy Serna wishes, get a win-loss record of .500. “We’re young and still learning so we’re struggling a bit right now, but we’re practicing hard everyday to try and turn it around,” says Coach Serna.  Her goal for the team, along with getting the win-loss of .500, is to get stronger for the future. Despite being young, Coach Serna acknowledges that her returning players have improved from where they started.

Sophomore Kelsy Orender, who has been playing softball for eight years, has a similar view of the team. “We are young, a majority of our team is freshman. We have a lot to work on, but we can do it,” says Orender.

Beyond team goals, each player should have her own individual aspirations. Orender’s personal goal is to be a leader and help out the girls with anything. Another goal she has is to get better as a pitcher.

Through continued hard work, the team has a very good chance of improving and being the best it can be.

Reaching Goals and Achieving the Impossible

Hannah Mondragon Plays at State Band

Article by Sarah Thompson

On January 11, one of Osage City’s own qualified for state in band. Sophomore Hannah Mondragon, against thousands of other talented teens, rose up the rankings and secured the fourth chair spot for bass clarinet in state band.

Mondragon had to pass two auditions to qualify for district band and then had to qualify again for state.  For her chosen instrument, bass clarinet, there were only four chairs, and Mondragon was lucky enough to take the last chair. Making state in anything is a great accomplishment and those talented enough to make it should feel incredibly honored. Mondragon now knows that one-of-kind feeling, and she also knows all the efforts and sacrifices she’s made paid off. “I enjoyed it so much that even after a six hour rehearsal, I would want to keep playing for a couple more to improve,” she gushes. “There were so many opportunities I never thought I would get to experience,” she adds.

But everything depends on how she thinks she did, if her best effort was given. “I did a lot better than I was expecting, because I thought I wouldn’t reach the standards they have at state. I actually ended up reaching my goals and achieving what I thought was the impossible,” says Mondragon.  The end result was Mondragon getting to play at state band, which was held February 26-28 in Wichita.

Small but Courageous

The OCHS Forensics team is doing well despite having fewer members

By Hannah Mondragon

The OCHS Forensics team this year consists of five freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors, and four seniors. This team may seem small, but they have the courage to go to other schools and perform in front of tons of judges that critique them.

The events that the students perform in are oration, extemporaneous speaking, improvised duet acting (IDA), humorous interpretation, serious solo, impromptu speaking, poetry and prose, informative speaking, and duet acting. They are led by Coach Renee Gallagher.

Senior Katalina Vecchione started forensics her sophomore year. She is involved in prose, poetry, and duet acting.  Vecchione was asked about her goal this year as a senior and she replied, “My goal is to try to attempt to break into finals so I can go to state. Ms. Gallagher has always told us no matter what, we have the ability to reach as far as we want to. Depending on the effort and passion.”

The OCHS Forensics team goes to tournaments on Saturdays to perform. They have three rounds to show the judges what they are capable of. If they place in the top six in their event they break into finals. Once in finals, they perform in front of a panel of judges again (usually three or more). After the finalists are done performing, they wait for the awards assembly.  If a student breaks into the top six in an event, then, based on how many schools are attending the tournament, he/she may qualify for the state festival in May.  If the student gets first or second place in a regular season competition, he/she goes to the state championship.

Senior Madison McKenzie is involved in IDA, duet acting, and prose. McKenzie was asked about her favorite part of forensics as a senior and what experience she’s gained, and replied, “I’m a lot more used to acting now. It broke me out of my shell and got me more open to talking in front of people. My favorite event is duet this year because I get to spend it with Katalina Vecchione.” McKenzie was also asked about all the goals she’s accomplished throughout high school forensics.  She said, “I’ve been to the state championship once for IDA, but I’ve qualified for state festival every year for prose. It’s definitely been one of the greatest high school experiences ever.”

The OCHS forensics team has several tournaments remaining this year. The state qualifiers will perform here at the school for “Forensics in the Spring” on April 26, 2015.  This event showcases what the forensicators have been working on throughout the year, so feel free to come out and and enjoy the entertainment.

If You Can Dodge a Wrench, You Can Dodge a Ball

FCA hosts 3rd annual dodgeball tournament

Article by Jake Butterfield

On Friday, February 27, the Fellowship of the Christian Athletes held its annual FCA Dodgeball Tournament. This was the third year FCA has put on this event.  The tournament provides a positive environment for students to compete against each other while still having fun. “It [the tournament] was at least a 17.2 on the Fun Scale,” commented senior Lance Hultgren, a member of the 2013 and this year’s championship team. The Fun Scale is typically measured from 1-10.

The tournament took place last Friday at 6:30 in the Richard Homewood gym.  The teams were made up of six players each, three boys and three girls.  This year there was also a junior high portion to the tournament held in the middle school gym.  The high school tournament was made up of 10 teams, including two adult teams.  The 3rd Annual Dodgeball Tournament Championship team was made up of seniors Lance Hultgren and Tori Tomlinson, junior Duncan Fort, sophomore Paris Vigil, and freshmen Tucker Kimball and Georgia Hutton.  The team, led by Hultgren, sported “Dream Team” jerseys.  They battled through pool play to remain undefeated, then edged out a narrow victory in the championship match.

FCA’s next event will be the Kansas FCA Spring Conference on March 28 and 29.  Conference is held biannually at Rock Springs 4-H Conference Center just outside of Junction City.  The cost of camp is just $50 and any high school or junior high student is invited to attend.  If you have any questions talk to FCA sponsor, Lucas Boss, and get signed up today!

The Shining Light Shines On

OCHS freshman nominated for prestigious KSHSAA award

Article by Aundrea Koger

Recently, the name, “Justin Davis,” has become synonymous with prestigious awards.  The OCHS freshman has now been honored as a nominee for the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) “Heart of the Arts” award, in addition to receiving the “Spirit of the Alamo” award a couple of months ago.  Like the award he was honored with while in San Antonio, this statewide accolade is given to an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership, enthusiasm, and excellence in the arts and does so while overcoming adversity.  The honoree is selected by the twelve-member KSHSAA Student Advisory team, and announced at a state-sanctioned event later this March.  In receiving the award, the honoree will also be in the running for national recognition by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

If Davis is selected, that would make him the first recipient of the “Heart of the Arts” award from Osage City High School.  That’s an impressive feat to accomplish but not unfamiliar territory for this hardworking freshman.  His definition of a normal day would be considered an impressive feat for anyone else.  Even with his sight impairment, Davis is a vital component of the OCHS band.  He has played the trumpet since 5th grade, and learns every music piece by ear.  Davis even marched in the OCHS marching band this year.  It seems as if nothing can stop him.  With his impressive work ethic and positive attitude, he is the epitome of what KSHSAA would be looking for in a nominee of the “Heart of the Arts” award.

When Mr. Tony Heward, the OCHS principal, was asked about what made this inspiring freshman stand out as a prime candidate for this nomination, he said, “Gosh, everything about him, from his smile all the time, to never giving up.”  He then went on to talk about how Davis’s awareness of space must be phenomenal, being that he was able to march with little to no idea where he was on the field.  It’s quite astounding what he does every day.  Most people couldn’t even begin to fathom accomplishing the things Davis does.  And he doesn’t just accomplish them.  He accomplishes them to the best of his abilities, with a positive attitude that’s infectious enough to lift anyone’s spirits.

It’s apparent that Davis is more than qualified to be the recipient of the “Heart of the Arts” award; however, the decision is at the jurisdiction of the KSHSAA Student Advisory team.  If this phenomenal freshman is selected as the honoree, it will be an amazing accolade that is well deserved.  But even if he’s not, Davis is still a shining light at OCHS, where he continues to brighten the hallways one smile at a time.

Photo courtesy of http://www.ihigh.com

Coins for Cancer

USD 420 raises money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Article by Sarah Thompson

Students of OCHS, OCMS, and OCES compete against each other every year to raise money, in the form of coins, for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  This annual fundraiser, put on by the OCHS National Honor Society, is called Pennies for Patients.

USD 420 had a combined goal to raise at least $600 this year to donate to the organization, and they easily surpassed that, earning $634.60 for the 2015 fundraiser. Each branch of Osage City Schools competes against one another to raise the most money, in a friendly competition of course. The rules are different in each school though. For OCMS and OCES, dollar bills are acceptable donations, but for OCHS that isn’t the case. Dollar bills will deduct points from class totals, which makes the competition harder and more exciting, and you can put dollar bills in other classes’ boxes to bring their points down.

According to the high school secretary, Mrs. Patty Brenner, last year’s combined earning between the schools was a staggering $675.69. Second grade won, but this year 4th grade took the lead with $198.69. The juniors were victorious in the high school, raking in $82.38 to combat cancer.

Senior Sarah Peterson, the National Honor Society president, stated that the fundraiser only lasted three weeks. Even though it’s short, Pennies for Patients brings out a competitive spirit in students, and promotes donating to charity and helping others.

A New Teaching Experience

Emporia State University student-teacher spends her time at OCHS

Article by Hannah Mondragon

This year at OCHS there is a new student-teacher in the midst. Mr. J.T. Crawford, the World History and American History teacher in the high school, and Mr. Matt Marple, the Economics, World Geography, and U.S. Government teacher, are getting some time off from teaching those classes because Miss Kaylynn Anderson has accepted the challenge of student-teaching at OCHS.

Though Miss Anderson has other obligations outside of student-teaching, such as a job in Emporia at the Quick Shop, teaching is her passion. “I decided I was going to be a teacher since sixth grade, but I wasn’t sure what kind of teacher I wanted to be until I reached high school. Then I fell in love with history,” expressed Anderson. She is teaching three freshman geography classes, two sophomore classes in World History, and one senior government class here at OCHS.

The soon-to-be ESU graduate attended high school at Washburn Rural in Topeka. Now, after her long four-year journey, she has chosen little Osage for student-teaching, but why? Anderson replied, “I chose to come here because I went to a 6A school and I wanted to get the experience of teaching in a smaller school to see how it differs.” So far the experience has been worthwhile, she said.  “Teaching is great here. I love it a lot because it’s a big learning experience and such a huge interest to see what it’s like teaching here at a small school.”

Anderson will be student-teaching until May.  Once she finishes her student-teaching credit she will return to ESU to wrap up schooling and graduate.  Hopefully she will find the passion, drive, and experience she’s looking for here at OCHS.

You Know You’re From Osage If…

1. The hallway smells like Krispy Kreme donuts because of the baseball fundraiser.

2.  Paint flakes off the wall in the junior high gym when a ball hits it because the gym has been there since the dawn of time.

3. There are twitter fights with random guys from Britain.