Cimarron High School Cimarron, Kansas 67835 March 2009 Vol. 6, No. 6 Non-profit Permit #41 Cimarron, KS 67835 The B luejay ost P “Do not be afraid of greatness: Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” That famous quote from William Shakespeare couldn’t be any more true than when you apply it to Dennis Burk, a Ben Franklin impersonator. Burk and his wife were looking for a hobby that they could involve their children in. They wanted a hobby that would pro- vide quality family time and great memo- ries. The Burks found what they were looking for in the reenactment trade. Taking their family of four all over the country for conventions, they avidly began to create costumes for themselves as they researched historic time periods. “As we became more and more involved in the activities,” Burk recalls, “more and more people just started treating me like I was Ben Franklin.” Having the character chosen for him, he began to research his new assumed identity. “If you have the knowledge and people mistake you for him,” Burk said, “why not play the role?” The first time Burk officially took on Franklin’s persona was at a convention in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania isn’t the only place this activity has taken Burk to. “We’ve been to Colorado, Missouri, Illinois,” Burk said. “We stay in houses built in the particular time period we’re portraying.” Staying in old houses and forts, living like their characters really lived, it’s more than just a hobby for Burk and his family. It’s a lifestyle, nearly a religion. “My purpose for doing this is to im- part knowledge to others,” Burk explains, “bringing the past to life for them so they can learn about it and from it and become industrious.” In the same way that Franklin tried to help others through his work, Burk endeav- ors to bring the great icon, his spirit and goal, back to life for others to learn from. “Ben came up with twelve virtues that every person should abide by,” Burk said, “If I don’t tell you, you will go find them and remember them better for that fact.” Not only does Burk see his role as a responsibility, he also takes the greatest pleasure from it. “I remember once someone asked me how I felt about being on the $100 dollar bill when my friend, Washington, is only on the $1 dollar bill,” said Burk with a laugh. More than the questions some people ask him, he enjoys learning about this historic figure. “‘If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.’ That was said by Ben Franklin,” Burk said. “What do you think it means?” Frankin Facts: •Ben Franklin invented the harmonica, which both Mozart and Beethoven com- posed music for. •Ben Franklin invented “swimmies” to help others learn how to swim. Franklin was a champion swimmer and also loved to windsurf. •Ben Franklin invented the “Free Library” system. •Ben Franklin’s 13 virtues: Temperance Resolution Frugality Industry Sincerity Silence Justice Moderation Cleanliness Chastity Order Tranquility Humility By Britnie Jenkins The National Honor Society, or NHS, will hold an induction ceremony on Tues- day March 24 in the high school auditorium to induct new members. “On the school calendar it says that the induction will be at 7:00 p.m.,” said sponsor Melody Johnson. “But the time has changed and it is now at 8:00 p.m.” To become a member of NHS there are three requirement students must meet: 1. Have a 3.33 cumulative GPA. 2. Fill out and return a Student Ac- tivity Information packet 3. After turning in the packet on time, a committee, selected by Principal Bill Brown, discusses and rates each student based on four qualities: character, leadership, scholarship, and service. “The student activity information packet includes extra curricular activities, leadership positions, community activities, recognition and awards, work experience, and a teacher recommendation letter,” said Johnson. NHS induction ceremony to take place FREEZE FRAME: David Burk appears in the garb of Ben Franklin, which he wears to conventions and re-enactments all over the country. Burk’s hobby requires that he does not stop playing his character when in costume. (Unruh photo) ‘Living’ Legend shares passion for past Ben Franklin: By Kaitlin Unruh Junior High Quiz Bowl is bursting with life this year. Having 12 seventh graders on the team brings the number of students involved this year up to 22. “Managing the number of students is the most difficult thing this year,” said Shelly Baublits, their coach. Keeping the students competitive is the next obstacle facing the team this year. “We try to have practice twice a week,” Baublits said, “but after February it rarely happens.” Making the most of what practice time they have, team members rehearse ques- tions asked at meets previous years and go over current events questions. “Our main goal is preparing for the league meet,” said Baublits. The team will compete against ten other schools for the title of League Cham- pions on April 2 at Satanta. CJH scholars prepare for competition
Transcript
Cimarron High School Cimarron, Kansas 67835 March 2009 Vol. 6, No. 6
Non-profitPermit #41Cimarron, KS
67835The Bluejay ostP
“Do not be afraid of greatness: Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
That famous quote from William Shakespeare couldn’t be any more true than when you apply it to Dennis Burk, a Ben Franklin impersonator.
Burk and his wife were looking for a hobby that they could involve their children in. They wanted a hobby that would pro-vide quality family time and great memo-ries. The Burks found what they were looking for in the reenactment trade.
Taking their family of four all over the country for conventions, they avidly began to create costumes for themselves as they researched historic time periods.
“As we became more and more involved in the activities,” Burk recalls, “more and more people just started treating me like I was Ben Franklin.”
Having the character chosen for him, he began to research his new assumed identity.
“If you have the knowledge and people mistake you for him,” Burk said, “why not play the role?”
The first time Burk officially took on Franklin’s persona was at a convention in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania isn’t the only place this activity has taken Burk to.
“We’ve been to Colorado, Missouri, Illinois,” Burk said. “We stay in houses built in the particular time period we’re portraying.”
Staying in old houses and forts, living like their characters really lived, it’s more than just a hobby for Burk and his family. It’s a lifestyle, nearly a religion.
“My purpose for doing this is to im-part knowledge to others,” Burk explains, “bringing the past to life for them so they can learn about it and from it and become industrious.”
In the same way that Franklin tried to help others through his work, Burk endeav-ors to bring the great icon, his spirit and goal, back to life for others to learn from.
“Ben came up with twelve virtues that every person should abide by,” Burk said, “If I don’t tell you, you will go find them and remember them better for that fact.”
Not only does Burk see his role as a responsibility, he also takes the greatest pleasure from it.
“I remember once someone asked me how I felt about being on the $100 dollar bill when my friend, Washington, is only on the $1 dollar bill,” said Burk with a laugh.
More than the questions some people ask him, he enjoys learning about this historic figure.
“‘If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.’ That was said by Ben Franklin,” Burk said. “What do you think it means?”
Frankin Facts: •Ben Franklin invented the harmonica, which both Mozart and Beethoven com-posed music for. •Ben Franklin invented “swimmies” to help others learn how to swim. Franklin was a champion swimmer and also loved to windsurf. •Ben Franklin invented the “Free Library” system. •Ben Franklin’s 13 virtues: Temperance Resolution Frugality Industry Sincerity Silence Justice Moderation Cleanliness ChastityOrder Tranquility Humility
By Britnie JenkinsThe National Honor Society, or NHS,
will hold an induction ceremony on Tues-day March 24 in the high school auditorium to induct new members.
“On the school calendar it says that the induction will be at 7:00 p.m.,” said sponsor Melody Johnson. “But the time has changed and it is now at 8:00 p.m.”
To become a member of NHS there are three requirement students must meet:
1. Have a 3.33 cumulative GPA.2. Fill out and return a Student Ac-
tivity Information packet3. After turning in the packet on
time, a committee, selected by Principal Bill Brown, discusses and rates each student based on four qualities: character, leadership, scholarship, and service.
“The student activity information packet includes extra curricular activities, leadership positions, community activities, recognition and awards, work experience, and a teacher recommendation letter,” said Johnson.
NHS induction ceremony to take place
FREEZE FRAME: David Burk appears in the garb of Ben Franklin, which he wears to conventions and re-enactments all over the country. Burk’s hobby requires that he does not stop playing his character when in costume. (Unruh photo)
‘Living’ Legend shares passion for pastBen Franklin:
By Kaitlin UnruhJunior High Quiz Bowl is bursting
with life this year. Having 12 seventh graders on the team brings the number of students involved this year up to 22.
“Managing the number of students is the most difficult thing this year,” said Shelly Baublits, their coach.
Keeping the students competitive is the next obstacle facing the team this year.
“We try to have practice twice a
week,” Baublits said, “but after February it rarely happens.”
Making the most of what practice time they have, team members rehearse ques-tions asked at meets previous years and go over current events questions.
“Our main goal is preparing for the league meet,” said Baublits.
The team will compete against ten other schools for the title of League Cham-pions on April 2 at Satanta.
CJH scholars prepare for competition
2 OpinionsThe Bluejay PostMarch 2009
Letter Policy The Bluejay Post welcomes letters from readers. We do, however, reserve the right to edit letters for purposes of clairty and space, and we regret that we cannot publish unsigned letters.
The Bluejay Post2008-2009
Editor: Britnie JenkinsSports Editor: Matt Kliewer
H.S. Organizations Editor: Kaitlin Unruh
Photo Editor: Shelby PulkrabekCommunity News Editor: Kyle MaddoxGrade School Editor: Nicole MarshallGraphic Arts Department: Kaitlin Unruh, Britnie Jenkins, Shelby Pulkrabek
Copy Editors: Britnie Jenkins, Kyle Maddox
Advisor: Lynne Hewes Cimarron High School Cimarron, KS 67835
March 2009 Volume 6, Issue 6
Editorial Board: Al-though our editorials are written by in-dividual board memebers, the thoughts and ideas conveyed are that of The Bluejay Post editorial board. Members of the Editorial Board are Kaitlin Un-ruh, Kyle Maddox, and Matt Kliewer.
By Nicole MarshallIt’s almost time to get into the groove
of wearing shorts and flip-flops. Summer is around the bend, but it’s slightly out of reach.
Students crave summer break, but for now, they’ll have to settle for the spring. Even better than that: spring break!
March 15-22 may not sound like a long time, but for students that is enough time to take a break from school. Most students wish it was longer, but they some-how manage.
It’s nice to relax and not have to worry about waking up at odd hours of the morn-ing to make sure that your hair is just right and your clothes aren’t too wrinkled. You can kick back and enjoy the weather and company of your peers or even your pet.
Spring break is wonderful for vaca-tions and relaxing in your own back yard, or front, whichever you prefer.
Sometimes, however, spring break is just the perfect time for the weather we don’t yearn for to decide to show up.
In Cimarron the past few years, spring break has been the time when snow decides to fall. This year we hope we don’t have to endure that awful weather!
Just think, students, for one entire week you won’t have to worry about books,
Spring break: Just around the corner
Letting go: Preserving memories to make moreBy Kaitln Unruh
It seems all we hear about this time of year is break-ups. One second it’s Febru-ary and everyone is in love, sending each other chocolate and grossing out the single people with their mushy talk.
The next, there’s a fight in the hallway, or all our friends can talk about is their exes and how horrible they were.
Enough is enough. Let it go, for good-ness sake. The more we hear about it, the more we don’t care! Why prolong the suffering for ourselves and others when we can see the situation for what it was?
That’s like burning ourselves just to get back at our ex, absurd!
So ease your mind. Let the memories lie like sleeping dogs. Remember them they way they were; don’t twist them into something they’re not. It was a good expe-rience. It was an experience that brought us to where we are today. A growth spurt
The People’s VoiceBy Kyle Maddox
QUESTION: How are you spending your spring
break?
Abby Thompson, freshman:“I’m going to New Mexico to visit some family I haven’t seen in a while.”
Morgan Baldwin,
eighth grader:“I’m going to Orlando,
Florida, to go to
Disneyworld.”
Sue Wiseman, English teacher:
“Nothing fun. I’ll be grading
senior research
papers during break.”
This is where we start to let go of the past. We know it was something we needed to move on from, an experience that has ended and we don’t plan on go-ing back.
As Simon and Garfunkel say in their song, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.”
Let’s do just that: ease our minds.
Let the past be the past; move on. Stop talking about the horrible experience that it was.
There was both good and bad to those relationships--we got free chocolate from it, didn’t we? There’s an upside.
And why forget everything good about the person? That’s like admitting that our taste was completely crap to begin with.
Oh! He sent me
chocolates! I love him soooooooo
much!!!!!!
This is NOT
going to last!
I HATE
him!!!! What did I ever see in that loser anyway?!?!
Oh that’s in
the past... Learn from it
and move on!
in our lives, a transition phase. We can’t expect to always make a
good call about whom to date, when to end it, if to end it. But when and if we do, take it for what it is. A memory. An experience. The water under the bridge. It’s past, flow-ing away from us and who we are, and who we are going to be.
The Bluejay PostMarch 2009 3News
FebruaryStudents
of the MonthBy Britnie Jenkins
The Scholars’ Bowl team, consist-ing of Senior Hanna Burl, Juniors Alyssa Dale, Britnie Jenkins, and Kyle Maddox, Sophomore Spence Byer, and Freshman Tyler Siek, traveled to Thomas Moore Prep in Hays on February 5 to compete in the Regional Scholars’ Bowl meet.
The team went on to place third in their pool, and then in finals to take second overall.
“The team had a record of 7-4,” said Jennifer Hendrix, coach. “I thought they had gotten down after losing the first two, but they came back and played well.”
Placing second at Regionals qualified the team to advance to the State Scholars’ Bowl competition, which was held on Feb-ruary 14 at Belle Plain High School.
The team went on to place sixth over-all at State.
“I feel we did very well for being such a young team,” said Hendrix. “The competition was tougher and the questions
were tough. It was good experience.”
Even though Hen-drix feels that her team has improved throughout the year, she also feels there is more improving her team could do.
“We had an up-and-down season,” she said. “We need to work on our consistency. Also, we need to work on our ability to recover after we lose a match.”
Even though Hen-drix feels that her team needs some improving, she has had a good time this season.
“My favorite moment of the season was at Re-gionals when we qualified for State,” she said. “I
Scholars’ Bowl team places at State
READY, SET, BUZZ IN: Senior Hanna Burl, Juniors Kyle Maddox and Britnie Jenkins, Sophomore Spence Byer, Junior Alyssa Dale, and Freshman Tyler Siek, make up the Scholars’ Bowl team that placed sixth at the State Scholars’ Bowl competition. The team was coached by Jennfier Hendrix. “I feel we did well for being such a young team,” she said. (Yearbook photo)
by Kyle Maddox What do you get when you divide the circumference of a jack-o-lantern by its diameter? Pumpkin π! What do you get when you take a native Alaskan and divide his circumference by his diameter? Eskimo π! 3.14159. The ratio of any circle‚π’s circumference to its diameter. This never-ending decimal is the source of much speculation in the mathematical community. Over a trillion digits of π have been calculated, with no repeating patterns. Because it‚π, is such a special number, it
deserves a special day, and physicist Larry Shaw has given a day to it. March 14 is known as π Day because the normal approximation for π is 3.14, and March is the third month of the year, 3/14. Coincidentally, or not so coincidentally, this day is also Albert Einstien’s birthday. Math teachers especially enjoy this holiday. “[On π Day], numerous activities take place around the world but mostly in classrooms,” said Brian Lightner, math teacher at CHS. “People like to play pi games, wear their favorite pi T-shirt, sing pi day songs, and, of course, eat pi.”
Sweet cherry π“Pi day” festivities to kick off this month
Come Support Your local FFA Chapter!
When: February 26, 5:30-7:30
What: Soup Supper
Where: Grade School Gym
Journalism students qualify for state in seven events
“Megan Mahurin is awesome: from
tracking down a rubber chicken for forensics to
putting together a scholarhsip
portfolio to leading yearbook class.”
--Mrs. Hewes
“Greta Giebler is consistent in
getting her work completed. She
stays on task, making very
good use of her time. She comes
to class with a good attitude and
a willingness to learn.”
--Mr. Hornung
Each month the faculty honors students who have exhibited exemplary conduct, helpfulness, and enthusiastic involvement as “Students of the Month.”
By Shelby PulkrabekMembers of The Bluejay Post staff
qualified for state journalism at the re-gional Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA) competition in Hays on February 19.
Junior Britnie Jenkins received hon-orable mention in feature writing, Junior Kyle Maddox placed third in editing and earned honorable mention in infograph-ics, Sophomore Nicole Marshal got honorable mention in advertising, and
Junior Shelby Pulkrabek received second place in cutline writing and sports photography.
These students will advance to the State com-petition on May 2 in Law-rence.
“I’m really proud of these student journal-ists,” said Advisor Lynne Hewes. “I already knew
GET IT WRITE: Sophomore Nicole
Marshal, Junior Shelby Pulkrabek, Senior
Kaitlin Unruh competed in the regional Kansas
Scholastic Press Association contest.
Marshal, Pulkrabek, and Jenkins all qualified for the state competition in May. (Courtesy Photo).
“Jared Nichols is in my Anatomy & Physiology class. He has been doing great all year. He
is a very respectful and responsible young man. I
enjoy having him in class.”
--Mrs. Johnson
YUM YUM: Math teacher, Brian Lightner, displays his pi poster. Pi day, or March 14, is a day where many math fans celebrate this special holiday. (Courtesy photo)
A lot of us moan and groan at the thought of having to have
a fine arts credit to graduate, but for Junior Issa Garcia, it’s an excuse to do what she really loves during class. “I’ve always liked to draw,” said Gar-cia. “My dad liked to draw and I always wanted to be like him so I started too.” Garcia is no newcomer to the world of art. “I really started getting into art in third grade when my mom wanted to learn how to paint flowers, and she made me tag along when she went to her art classes,” Garcia said. All her artistic abilities didn’t come from pure natural talent. “I took a painting class in Dodge with Maury Eckles and private art lessons with
Mr. Geibler after school in grade school,” said Garcia. There are many different types of art that Garcia enjoys. “I don’t really have a favorite,” she said, “but what I usually like to do is scratch art, drawing, and acrylic paint-ing.” After hours of tedious details and hard work, it finally pays off. “The part I enjoy most is probably when I finally finish my piece,” said Garcia. “My favorite piece is my first painting, which is a winter scene.” Garcia has also entered her pieces in competitions and came out successful. “I have gotten ribbons at the county fair,” she said. “I have also placed in the league and Hays art shows, and was award-ed a gold key and an honorable mention at the last show.”
By Nicole Marshall
It’s that time again when the seniors have made their decisions about
what they plan to major in. For many se-niors at CHS, the medical field has drawn their attention.
Nursing is one field a select few se-niors have decided to pursue.
“I really would enjoy being a regis-tered nurse,” senior Mini Casas said.
The allotted time for becoming a nurse of any type is between two and four years. A nurse is not simply someone who assists in the hospital. Being a nurse has more to it than that.
“I’m going to be a traveling nurse,” senior Ross Addison said. “I will work in the emergency room or operation room.”
Another choice seniors have decided on becoming an orthodontist or dentist as well as optometry.
“I will be going to pre-optometry,” senior Cory Gleason said.
Becoming an eye doctor or a dentist is not all short and sweet. There is dedication to finishing the whole term of college.
“You have to be in college for eight years total,” Gleason said. “During those four years, you have to attend optometry school.”
Dental hygiene is a field being en-tered for CHS graduate-to-be Marlene Rivera. She plans on entering this field of medicine.
“It sounds interesting and is something I would like to do everyday,” Rivera said.
Senior Jordan Toothaker plans on be-ing something similar, an orthodontist.
“I enjoyed going to see my orthodon-tists when I had braces,” Toothaker said.
Choosing these fields was not too difficult. People in their families as well as their surroundings inspired some of the seniors.
“My sister inspired me to become a traveling nurse,” Addison said.
For some seniors, it was their own doctors, dentists, orthodontists, and nurses who helped them make their decision.
“My eye doctor, Dr. Bowling, sparked my interest for becoming a optometrist,” Gleason said.
The medical field is about doing something that you know is for the good of all people.
“I am looking into orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist,” senior Rylan Lacy said.
Physical therapy is a shared interest by senior Talon Schneider.
“I would have to attend eight years of college,” Schneider said. “It would be worth it in the end because I would be able to help other people.”
The time for class has already began for some of these seniors. For others, however, it won’t begin till the upcoming summer or fall.
“I have already started taking my CNA
class,” Casas said.Schneider hasn’t taken any medical
classes yet.“I will possibly begin classes this
summer,” he said.Deciding on a four-year school or
a junior college is easy for some of the seniors. A favored college too many of the seniors is attending the University of Kansas in the fall. For others, it’s simply beginning at a junior college in Dodge City or Garden City.
“I hope to attend Baker University in the fall of 2009,” Toothaker said.
The decision about whether to attend a four-year school is not a thought that many seniors have considered yet.
“I’m attending Dodge City Commu-nity College,” said senior Bekah Harman, who plans to become a registered nurse. “I don’t know where to go after that. I plan to just go with flow.”
Several seniors select saving lives
A WORK OF ART: Junior Issa Garcia shows off her painting she was working on. Garcia has been taking art classes for several years. “I really started getting into art in third grade when my mom wanted to learn how to paint flowers, and she made me tag along when she went to her art classes,” Garcia said (Courtesy photo).
The Bluejay PostMarch 2009 5Features
By Britnie JenkinsAccording
to journalist and former CNN news anchor Dan Rather, “The
dream begins with a teacher
who believes in you, who tugs and
pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called ‘truth’.”
As graduation looms in the near future, seniors must decide what occupational field they are best suited to pursue.
For seniors like Matt Kliewer, Megan Mahurin, and Alicia Owens, this occupa-tion lies in education.
Owens knows exactly which branch of education she wants to specialize in.
“I want to work in elementary educa-tion because I love to work with young children,” said Owens. “They will always teach me new things everyday.”
Mahurin, as well, plans on going into the elementary education field.
“I love the energy vibe the kindergar-teners give off,” she said.
Kliewer has plans to go into a very specific area of education.
“I want to go into English because I feel passionately about it,” said Kliewer.
Mahurin had an in-teresting encounter which helped to shape her inter-est in education.
“One day I went with my aunt to help at a Bright Be-ginnings carnival,” she said. “I really didn’t want to be there,
until this little girl with an enthusiastic at-titude came in and cheered me up.”
Owens has known she would be a teacher ever since she was a little girl.
“I was always playing school with my family and friends,” she said.
If teaching doesn’t work out, Kliewer has a back-up plan.
“[I would be] a writer,” he said. “And a teaching degree never hurts to
have.”Once she has completed
college and has her teach-ing degree, Owens plans on teaching in her native environment.
“I would like to teach in a small town, like Ci-
marron,” she said. “Small towns have the best young kids around.”
Mahurin would rather teach
An apple a day keeps the teacher at bay:CHS seniors plan on educating after education
in a larger setting.“I would like
to teach prefer-ab ly a round Wichita,” said Mahurin.
K l i e w e r wants to teach in an even larger city.
“I really like the Denver area,” h e said.
For Owens, one teacher in particular made an impact on her decision to go into education.
“Mrs. Shilling, from my first grade year, inspired me most,” she said. “Her class made me want to stay in grade school forever.”
by Kyle Maddox
The backbone of any high society is a well-to-do industry. Without the
simple objects like food on the table and well-maintained buildings, we could never function as a culture.
The very spine that supports the limbs of art and science are the industrial trades, a n d t h i s year, six of our seniors a r e heading into this
field: Miguel Rivera, Blake VanBuskirk, Alex Hib-bert, Jared N i c h o l s , and Alonso
Beltran. The indus-
t r i a l trades are a far-reaching set.
“I plan on going to college for welding,” said Beltran, “but also eventually, I want to learn body working for cars.”
The industrial trades are something that can be studied locally.
“I plan on studying at Garden City Community Col-lege,” said Rivera.
The industrial trades can also be found all over the United States, because there is always a need for it.
“I would like to go to Wyotech,” said Beltran.
Another aspect of the industrial trades is very close to home; agriculture.
“I will teach and instruct young stu-dents as an Ag educator,” said Hibbert.
Many people choose to go into the
industrial trades because they were influenced into it by a loved on
or teacher.“I enjoy working hands-
on and I think it is an inter-esting field... Mr. Miller and my grandpa [influenced me] to go into the industrial trades,” said Hibbert.
Some people choose it because it helps them develop
as a person.“I want to go into the
industrial trades because it will help with being patient and taking time to accomplish things, but nobody got me interested into it, really. I went on a college visit and it seemed like something I would be really interested in,” said Rivera.
Job opportunities are very frequent in this field.
“I anticipate good job opportunities. There are a lot of welders needed. I would go to a pipe or tank industry for welding. Sheet metal industries also need help,” said Rivera.
There has always been a need for the people of the industrial trades.
“We are the hands building a better future, whether it’s through architecture or welding,” said VanBuskirk.
CHS seniors plan to enter industrial fields
hobbies that will keep them pre- ‘occupied’ for life
Matt Kliewer
Megan Mahurin
Alicia Owens
Alonso Beltan
Miguel Rivera
Blake VanBuskirk
6 The Bluejay PostMarch 2009 Sports
By J.M. Kliewer Superstition has been a thorn in the
side of logical men since the dawn of time. Black cats, broken mirrors, and lucky rab-bit foots are common tokens of our idiocy as a society, and while a heads-up penny on the ground may give you another cent in your pocket, admission of belief in such a trivial fallacy might result in a life full of dunce caps and plastic bedtime pants.
With so many Friday 13s this year, superstition is at an all time high. That’s right folks, right as you thought the world might be getting bearable to live in, your neighbor who barely makes his rent selling four-leaf clover necklace charms, now has a mansion and a maid, but for some reason he still won’t return your can opener.
So why do we, as Americans, love to cling to these wonderfully dark omens, even from the most trivial thing?
Mostly, I’d say it’s fear of control-ling our own fate, fear of having nothing and no one to blame but ourselves, and of course, fear that our good-for-nothing charm-selling neighbor isn’t just lucky, but that he might be a better businessman than we are.
However, the idea of luck satisfies us to no end. Instead of being sacrilegious and blaming the power on high, and instead of blaming that ever perfect figure in our minds, ourselves, we like to blame cats, ladders, and leprechauns, when we forget an umbrella or step on a landmine.
Even I (the illegitimate child of Rationality and Cynicism) have a hard time admitting that luck doesn’t control everything I do. My lucky fish died last year at a tennis meet (boiled in the heat), and shortly after, I lost a match that I had dominated earlier.
Maybe God was punishing me for the death of Humphrey Stewart Kliewer-Was-son, or maybe (for all of you crazy salt throwers) luck had something to do with my heartbreaking loss.
Either way, sports and superstition have been tied together since the Dark Ages. People still keep their before-game rituals, and millions of pairs of socks go unwashed after victories.
How do we fight this outrageous af-fliction though?
The first thing we can do would be to start taking blame for our own mistakes, and not blaming it on that crack we stepped on, that mirror we sat on, or that black cat that we knew we should have hit with our car.
The last, and easily most important, thing we can do is not to get hung up over bad things that happen to us in our sporting
Rant with KliewerLadders, cats, and mirrors, to be avoided by
irrational superstitious loonies
Upcoming Events Spring sports are finally here! Tennis
golf, and track are now kicking off and in full force. The exhaustion of long hard baseketball practice and games are now a thing of the past as the bright springtime glow returns to the faces of every student in Cimarron.
Cheerleading tryouts will also be held March 30, and with so many returning cheerleaders, not to mention a very large class of up-and-coming 8th graders, the competition takes a heavy turn uphill.
Sports Updates
Wrestling
Boys’ Basketball
Girls’ Basketball
Regional Wrestling Results
Tyler White- 1st Place
Ross Addison- 3rd Place
John Shaunghessy- 3rd Place
The boys’ baksetball team continued their slide as they fell to juggernaut league school, the Holcomb Longhorns, on Feb-ruary 20, and are looking at a possible seventh seed for sub-state.
Among the teams in their substate, Holcomb, Lakin, Southwestern Heights, TMP, and Phillipsburg head the lineup of powerhouse teams.
It will be a difficult road to state for
The girls’ basketball team heads into substate with a favorable record, and a powerful win streak.
The girls’ bane, however, has been Southwestern Heights for the last couple years, and lo and behold, Heights makes an appearence in the substate tournament this year.
Still, with increasingly good play from point guard Avery Burns, and post extrodinaire Alicia Owens, the girls will
By J.M. KliewerGoing into regional wrestling, expec-
tations were high for the mighty Bluejays. And they didn’t disappoint, sending four boys in blue to the State Championship tournament.
Bluejay wrestlers Tyler White, Ross Addison, John Shaunghessy, and Coulter Croft reigned supreme on the mats at Ellis, with White pulling a first-place victory, Addison and Shaunghessy claiming a third, and Croft (South Gray’s representative) obtaining fourth. “Whitey [Tyler White] wrestled amazing,” said regional bronze medalist Ross Addison. “I was really impressed.” Yes indeed, White did steal the show, capping off his terrific season with an excellent set of victories to propel him to one of the top seeds for the State Tournament. The boys will set off to Hays on Thursday, and will face a weekend of sweat, exhaustion, and grappling muscular battles with their top-notch opponents. I’m in a really tough weight class,” said junior wrestler Shaunghessy. “My competition at state is going to be the hardest thing I’ve had to do so far in my wrestling career. I just hope that I can do well.” The stunning four state entries came after a season of injuries and maladies,
INTIMIDATION FACTOR: Sophomore Tyler White (top left), Senior Ross Addison (top right), Freshman Coulter Croft (bottom left), and Junior John Shaunghessy all hold a look of dedication in their eyes as they prepare for the upcoming State Wrestling Tournament (Courtesy photo).
Hays-Bound Pound for Pound
claiming multiple wrestlers in a period of three months. “After a season where everyone was getting hurt, I’m really glad we came together at the end,” said sophomore regional champion White. The Bluejay boys will be competing for a spot in Cimarron history, each trying to become the first young man from this 3A school to accomplish the ultimate feat of becoming state champion.
“Winning state would be great,” Addison said, “It’s the ultimate reward for the hard work this sport requires.” While White will go in atop the standings after his first place victory, for the others the road will be a little tougher, but as the NCAA tournament proves to us every year, the underdog is often the most dangerous competitor out there. Perhaps other schools at the prestigious tournament will beware of the power the
F i v e ou t s t and -i n g b a n d s t u d e n t s represented CES at the Southwest Kansas Music Academy’s Sixth Grade Honor Band last month. The five from Cimarron were A.J. Cooper on the tuba, Maddison Anderson playing the trom-bone, Andrea Bryant with the trumpet, Makenzy Meis on flute, and James Royle playing percussion. Mishayla Moffitt was also selected to the group, but could not attend. “They rehearsed together for only four hours before giving a concert
Cimarron’s Jessica Wehkamp took first place in the Gray Coun-ty Spelling Bee this year. Other contestents were
(from Ingalls) Ty Poer, Parker Nevills, and Josh Irsik, (from Montezuma) Isabel Pena, MacKenzie Glassco, and Marcelo Neufeld, (from Copeland) Lauren Jones, Jayden Garetson, Tina Martens, and (from Cimarron) Jaden Butcher, and Caley
The Bluejay PostMarch 2009 7Organizations, Reveiws
Org. Bytes FFA members get busy againBy Shelby Pulkrabek
On February 4 FFA members traveled to Garden City to compete in a Sales presentation contest.
Freshman Claire Nash placed second in the junior speech com-petition.
“ T h e a g s a l e s team of Sophomore Tyrel Moffitt, Senior Alex Hibbert, Fresh-man Ashley Fisher and Freshman Mauricio
Soto placed fourth overall,” said Advisor Ryan Miller. “Freshmen Jason Maddox and Wyatt Stanley also competed but were not scored as part of the team.”
The FFA officer team of President MacKenzie Batman, Vice-President Tyrel Moffitt, Secretary Claire Nash, Treasurer Laci Collins, Reporter Payton Dewey, and Sentinel Shelby Pulkrabek have been busy helping the community.
“On February 14 the officers per-formed the opening and closing ceremo-nies at the meeting of the Gary County Conservation district,” said Miller, “and on Saturday February 21 they helped the Farm Bureau with Feed the World Day at White’s Foodliner.”
Music Review: Cute Is What We Aim ForCute Is What We Aim For has per-
formed with labelmates Fall Out Boy and Gym Class Heroes at the Warped Tour in 2007. The band is influenced by Tak-ing Back Sunday, Blink 182, Smashing Pumpkins, Goldfinger and Dave Matthews Band.
The song, “The Curse of Curves” is a favorite song girls are constantly scream-ing out to be played. It came off their first album, The Same Old Blood Rush With a New Touch, released in 2007.
Cute Is What We Aim For is taking its toll on alternative rock lovers. If you haven’t listened to them yet, you are miss-ing out on some great rock tunes. On their 2008 album Rotation, their songs such as “Loser” and “Practice Makes Perfect” makes you realize that lyrics may explain your problems better then your own words can. “I have done few things I regret. But practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect sense to me.”
You don’t have to be perfect, and “Practice Makes Perfect” lets you know
By Nicole MarshallCute Is What We Aim For is a band
that has just passed their four-year mark. The band got together in January 2005. Shaant Hacikyan is the lead vocalist, Dave Melillo plays bass, and Jeff Czum plays piano and guitar; this is who makes up the band.
Their first album, The Same Old Blood Rush With a New Touch, was released in 2006, making it onto the Billboard-200 Chart. The band is currently on Fueled by Ramen Records.
by Kyle Maddox We’ve all heard of the new IHOP that just opened in Garden City, and maybe we haven’t all made it there yet, but recently, I had the chance to.
It was well worth the price, and then some.
There are three major reasons we all like to go to restaurants: atmosphere, taste, and convenience.
The new IHOP meets criteria for all three.
As for atmosphere, the building is
beautiful from the inside. It really has the breakfast-cafe attitude. The bustling-but-friendly attitude of the staff was impres-sive, to say the least. The afternoon I ate there, the servers all had a big smile and a down-to-earth mood that made the entire experience better.
For atmosphere, I give it a 5/5.Taste is usually the biggest factor in
a restaurant. Who wants to eat bad food? IHOP has always had good-tasting food, and this franchise is no exception. I ordered the Danish crepes, which were marvelous.
My companions ordered various things from the menu, and none of them had a bad thing to say about anything they ate.
I give taste a 5/5.Convenience was a slightly different
story. There was a slight wait before we were seated, and our service was stop-gap, but that is to be expected with a brand-new business. Everyone wants to come try it out, so the staff gets quite overwhelmed. Besides the slow nature, I give this aspect a 4/5.
Overall, eating at the IHOP was a
Restaurant Review: I’d hop back to IHOP
MEETING TIME: FFA Officer team of Sentinel Shelby Pulkrabek, Secretary Claire Nash, President MacKenzie Batman, Treasurer Laci Collins, Reporter Payton Dewey, Vice President Tyrel Moffitt, and Advisor Ryan Miller prepare to open the Meeting of the Gray County Conservation district. (Coutesy photo.)
FFA Labor Auction Feb. 26 After Southwestern Heights GameMacKenzie Batman
The CHS Yearbook class will continue to sell 2009 yearbooks until spring break. Cost to reserve a full-color memory book is $35.00. See Mrs. Hewes or a yearbook staff member.
FCCLA members Callie Losey and Ashley Harrell were elected District officers for the 2009-2010 school year. Losey will be president, and Harrell will b e v i c e p r e s i d e n t o f r e c o r d s .
The CHS forensics team has attended three invitational tournaments so far, qualifying some members for state competition. The group also took a field trip last month to Sterling College, where they attended a variety of workshops, then viewed a play.
The Bluejay PostMarch 20088 Administration News
Appearance of Evil First of all, my apologies to any individuals who may be offended at me using a Scripture verse to begin this article. However, please understand that I try to live my life according to Christian principles. Therefore, my ‘reference points’ for many of my thoughts are contained in Scripture. In 1 Thessalonians 5: 22, it states, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (KJV) This verse comes to my mind almost daily and does influence how I behave, what I say, what I watch, and how I respond to others. It is important to note that, not only does the Bible say that we should ‘keep from evil’ (Ten Commandments), but to keep from even the ‘appearance’ of evil. It is my belief that it is often necessary to take ‘proactive’ steps in making sure that we keep from even the ‘appearance’ of evil. For example, there times when we can make a slight ‘modification’ in how we behave to keep others from accusing of being ‘evil.’ For example, I try my best to avoid meeting with students and/or adults (especially of the opposite gender) on a private basis. When it is necessary to meet with students and/or adults on a private basis, I make sure that someone else knows about the meeting. Or, since students, parents, and other community members do expect ‘high standards’ from their principals, I find it best to not visit bars, attend questionable movies, and the like. We, as a community, need to realize that the community (and especially, students) do watch us closely and do have the uncanny ability to quickly realize when someone is ‘professing’ one thing and ‘living’ another. We cannot afford to give anyone a reason to suspect our behavior. We must keep from even the ‘appearance’
of evil. It is precisely for this reason that I’m so proud of our student body. As you may or may not know, our school has an organization called StuCo (Student Council) that meets on a regular basis to discuss school concerns and propose solutions. This organization is led by Mr. Cory Gleason (President) and is sponsored by Ms. Jennifer Hendrix. Recently, the StuCo organization met to discuss the topic of drinking on school grounds or at school events (even those at alternate locations.) The sponsor, Ms. Hendrix, did meet with me and informed me of the topics that came up during the course of the discussions. But, most importantly, she informed me that the StuCo students voted in favor of a proposal to use a Breathalyzer at future dances and/or other events. Even though I have not personally seen a severe problem with alcohol at dances and other events, I must acknowledge that there have been a few instances. However, it is such a blessing to know that our students are supportive of measures that will help to ensure the success of our students. Students, better than anyone else, know the extent of the temptations and peer pressures they face. Therefore, it is such a blessing that it is the student body who is prompting discussions on these important issues. These types of discussions and actions indicate that our students do hold themselves accountable and that they do want to keep from even the ‘appearance’ of evil. Bravo to the StuCo organization and their leadership. But, another Bravo is due our entire student body for their support of this proposal. It demonstrates, once again, that we do have the best students in the country.
--Mr. Brown, CHS Principal
The Principal’s Perspective
March Birthdays2- Katie McDowell8- Nick Simmons8- Kelsey Stucky8- Cody Wendel9- Benjmin Wiebe- Klassen12- Stewart Fairbank14- Robert Hoskinson14- Eduardo Ramirez14- Lyndi Stokes16- Whitney Barton16- Garrison LeRock17- Jessicca Bosley
18- Jaden Woofter19- Karley Knobbe19- Sarah Newberry21- Taryn Valentine23- Loyde Heady25- Kelcey Baker26- Shania Davidson28- Tiana Schneider28- Blake VanBuskirk29- Robert Sloan30- Samantha Goodwin30- Eric Rodriguez
Counselor’s Corner I was recently cleaning off my bookshelf to make room for new books, when I found one that caught my attention, titled Count Down to College: 21 To-Do Lists for High School Students, written by Valerie Pierce and Cheryl Riley. As I began to flip through it, I found some great information for students grades nine through twelve. For my freshmen, even though it seems like YEARS until you will graduate, time really will fly by. The To-Do list is titled “It’s all about you.” You need to get involved while you are in high school so you can begin to see what activities really interest you. They recommend joining clubs, sports, running for class officer, getting a part-time job, volunteer, travel, and lastly set goals for yourself. As sophomores, you now feel a little more comfortable because you survived your freshman year. Your To-Do list is a little more complicated. It is time to begin thinking about what you want after graduation. You need to be paying attention to your GPA. It will follow you. As you hear about interesting jobs or careers, look them up on the internet. Start looking at college websites and sign up to receive information. It is never too early to start a college or career file. Junior year is the hardest, or at least that is what I have been told. You are now half-way done and the end is in sight. Your list is a little more stressful. Once again, you need to be paying attention to your GPA! Sign up for the ACT or SAT and begin to study for it. Start looking at post-graduate possiblities. Does it include going to work, technical school, community college or a university? Endless questions and decisions that you will have to ponder. At last, you are a senior! It was only yesterday, that you were a freshman trying to survive. Your To-Do list will keep you busy. Before you can decide where to go after graduation, you need to see the campus and school, make sure to set up college visits. If you did not take or you would like to improve your score, register for the ACT/SAT exam. Education is not cheap, start investigating and applying for scholarships. Along with applying for scholarships, make sure you apply early to the school or progam of choice. If you are needing recommendations, ask people early so that they have plenty of time. If you plan and work hard it will pay off for you. I want to leave you with one quote that really stood out to me as I read this book: “The first three years of high school is what gets you INTO college; your senior year is what KEEPS you there.” ----Admissions officer from the University of Michigan.
