Volume 11_Issue 1.indd

The
Cardinal Connection
Volume 11 Issue 1
Oct. 1, 2009
Seminar changes increase
Reading Counts! numbers
By Ashley Grusing
Seminar is a time when
students try to get a head start
on their homework or make
up a test, quiz or lab for their
classes. It has always been a
time when they can visit with
a teacher or other students
in order to get assistance on
their homework. They also use
the time to work on missing
assignments or make up work.
Seminar is 30 minutes long.
Most students take advantage
of the full 30 minutes to work
on their class work. There are
also some students who do not
use the time wisely.
This year the first 15
minutes of seminar is to be
used for reading only. For
those 15 minutes, students
aren’t allowed to leave the
classroom, work on other
homework, or visit with each
other. At 3:05, the students
are allowed to go to other
classrooms to get help with
work or to make up tests
or quizzes until 3:20. The
reading time can be used for
Reading Counts! but can be
used for other reading as well.
“I don’t like the new rule
because now I don’t have
enough time for homework or
tests,” said Michael Ludlum,
sr. “Now that it’s a rule, I don’t
read as much.”
The change was made to
increase the amount of time
students read throughout the
day. They currently have a
minimum of 10 minutes in
English classes, which is only
every other day. Studies show
that students should be getting
90 minutes of reading time
per day, but this time can be
broken into smaller increments
of 10 minutes or more.
While students don’t have
as much seminar time to do
other work, more are getting
P a r t i c ip at i o n m a k e s it f u n !
By Kaleigh Wulf
StuCo will be hosting
Homecoming from Oct. 4
to Oct. 9, with the game
Friday against the Belle Plain
dragons.
There are many reasons for
Homecoming. It is a time for
alumni to come back to their
hometown and watch their old
team play. For current students
it gives them opportunities to
get involved.
“My favorite part about
Homecoming is how we get
the whole school involved
because we have a hard time
Monday--PJ Day
Tuesday--Nerd Day
finding things for everyone to
participate in,” said Whitney
Harbison, sr.
Homecoming involves a
Sunday of activities, class
competitions, dress-up days,
football game, crowning of a
king and queen and a dance.
StuCo is in charge of voting
on dress-up days and activities
for the Sunday before. The
senior class is in charge of the
dance.
“I’m most excited about
the dance, but if I could
change anything it would
be the dress code because I
would rather wear jeans,”
said Ali Akler, soph.
There are many
opportunities to participate
in homecoming events. All it
takes is a little volunteering
to make the whole week as
enjoyable as it can be.
Wednesday--Hip Hop Day Friday--Spirit Day
Thursday--Opposite Gender Day
their RC! points earlier and
teachers say the start of
seminar is much less chaotic.
The last 15 minutes are being
spent on homework, and
less time is being wasted by
goofing off or talking.
In addition to the reading
time, group meetings are being
held only on Wednesdays,
which is helping students have
more time in seminar instead
of leaving for other activities.
Whether or not the seminar
changes are permanent remains
to be seen. The faculty will
evaluate the changes later in
the year and determine if they
are effective or need some
modifications.
What Inside?
P e o p l e . . .2
O p i n i o n s . . .3
Activities...4
S p o r t s . . .5
L i f e s t y l e s . . .6
Page 2/Oct. 1, 2009
The Cardinal Connection
TeacherTrivia:
How well do you know your teacher?
1. Why did you choose to be a music teacher?
“I have a passion for music and sports.”
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
“Good and bad to every kind; I enjoy rock
‘n’ roll, country and jazz.”
3. What is your favorite song?
“Rock ‘n’ roll ones from the 80’s and country from the 90’s.”
4. What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
“Playing softball and riding my motorcycle.”
5. Where did you go to high school and college?
“Syracuse HS, Garden City CC and then Fort Hays.”
6. Favorite memory from high school?
“Winning state in sports and music.”
7. What’s something you dislike about school?
“When I went they could still use the paddle so I dislike that.”
8. What message would you send to any student and why?
“I would tell them to make the most of their high school years.
It’s setting up for bigger and better things in life and that
everyone needs to not worry aobut the drama because it’s just
a little thing that won’t be important when you’re older.”
Musicians work hard
for performances
By Kaleigh Wulf
The amount of hard
work put into each song and
performance of the marching
band and Color Guard may be
often overlooked. Marching
band takes hours to perfect
the songs they are performing,
and Color Guard has to make
important decisions and
choreograph just the right
dance.
“My favorite part of
marching band is the
halftime show,” said Ryan
Shellhammer, sr.
They have to practice a
lot to perform at the halftime
shows. During the show they
have to play the songs they
learned while moving and
doing steps for the crowd.
The band also participates
in the Kansas State Fair every
year, marches at homecoming,
and plays in the Veterans Day
parade. The band is judged
on sound, whether they had
the music memorized, their
action or how they present
themselves, and how musical
they are. It’s a lot to take into
consideration, and this year’s
band did a great job receiving I
ratings at the state fair.
Color Guard practices every
other day during band class.
When they take a break from
practicing songs, the girls
work on their routine. “We
can usually learn one song in
two class periods,” said Angie
Roberts, sr. and co-captain of
the squad.
The routine they have
is the same one they use
throughout the season, but
they just practice to improve
during class. Before they
begin working on routines,
director Travis Johnson picks
three different themes for the
music, and the whole band
class votes on the one they like
best. Along with Ryan, Angie
enjoys, “performing in front of
people at the game.”
According to Ryan,
“Everyone should do marching
band because I’m in it!” A
football game just wouldn’t
be the same without a
halftime show from these two
hardworking groups.
Upperclassmen:
Academic Transition
By Kaleigh Wulf
There are many academic
changes for students from one
grade to the next. Freshman
year everything is new, but by
sophomore year they get the
hang of things. Junior year is
said to be the hardest of all,
and senior year everything falls
into place for the future. Of
these four years, the last two
become even more important
academically.
“Junior year has been the
hardest year so far because I
have a lot more homework and
less time to do it,” said Tayler
Shellhammer, jr.
There are eight total classes
taken each semester as juniors.
Four classes are required:
math, English, social studies
and science. The other four
are electives. If a student has
a paper of homework for each
of the required classes and it
takes a student 30 minutes to
do each paper, that’s two hours
right there.
Along with sports, there
are many other contributing
factors to having a late night of
homework or not even getting
it done.
“This year is different
because I’m old enough now
that I can close at Jim’s, so on
days I have to do that I don’t
start working on my homework
until like 9:30 p.m.,” said
Tayler.
On top of the homework,
work and sports, seniors also
have to manage college plans.
Besides making college visits,
finding scholarships and
getting everything ready for
the next year, a select few also
have college classes. These
classes are taken through Pratt
Community College.
“Right now I’m taking
English Comp. I and public
speaking. It’s not any harder
than the regular high school
classes, but there’s a lot more
to do. I’m constantly working
on a speech or paper,” said
Danielle Krenzel, sr.
So far, the college classes
have had a minimal amount
of daily work, but according
to Ben Hill, sr., “the college
classes are harder in the aspect
of bigger projects.”
Although there seems to be
much more homework and less
time in the evenings, juniors
and seniors are also older
and have more experience
managing their time. The
upper-class years are the last
step to preparing for tougher
years to come in college and
the workplace.
Jesolyn Trego, jr. plays her percussion instrument during a pep
rally. Photo by Whitney Pinkley.
Oct. 1, 2009/Page 3
The Cardinal Connection
Learning to dress appropriately
aren’t stifling creativity
By Ashley Grusing
Every year the dress code is or individuality. They are
taken seriously. When students helping students learn to
dress appropriately for certain
are at school they represent
occasions.
their families, their homes,
“Something that I’d like
and, of course, themselves.
to see more of are students
Some get up in the morning
and just throw on the first
pieces of clothing they see.
“Something that I’d like to
There are even some who
see more of are students
come to school in their
dressing up for school
pajamas. Since school is a
functions,” said teacher
place where students are
Tim Hiebert.
representing themselves, it
would be a good idea to dress
dressing up for school
appropriately.
functions,” said teacher Tim
Not all students may agree
Hiebert. “They look really nice
with some of the dress code
when they dress up in nice
rules, such as no spaghetti
clothes.”
straps or the facial hair rule;
Hiebert also noted that the
they say that the rules hold
dress code has changed a bit
them back from expressing
since he’s started teaching
their individuality. But
here. “Spaghetti straps
regulations on the dress of
used to be really picky, and
both students and teachers
New lunch procedures
sagging before wasn’t a big
problem.”
The dress code hasn’t
had many changes in the
last couple of years, but
administrators have had to
be a little stricter about some
things and set some more
regulations. “The rule about
the length of shorts is a good
rule because we don’t want
to see that,” said Cori Jones,
jr.
Most students have
something to say about
the dress code, whether it
is good or bad. Some even
have ideas of what they wish
was different. “I wish that
we could wear tank tops to
school.” said Cori.
But the dress code is
present because the school
wants to try and avoid any
sticky situations.
Students enjoy salad bar, self service
By Ashley Grusing
Along with a new school
year, there are always changes.
Lunchroom procedure was one
change incorporated to save
time and give students more
choice in what they eat.
Some changes that were
made were the order that the
lunch is given. Instead of just
having all of the food on the
lunch tray already, the student
goes through the line and has
more of a choice when they
serve themselves; they don’t
get stuck with some food that
they won’t end up eating and
wasting. Another change is that
the salad bar is available to the
students every day.
photo by Ashley Grusing
Karla Dick, asst. cook, serves
lunch to Brittany Dome, soph.
They’ve also quit giving
out seconds during third
lunch, which will be missed
by many students. Ian Keefe,
jr., said that the one thing
that he misses the most is
seconds during third lunch,
and he wishes the lunches were
longer.
“We are getting the results
that we hoped for except it
slowed lunch down a bit,”
said Principal Ron Traxson.
“It takes longer to get through
line.”
The Cardinal Connection strives to provide an informative, non-biased paper in order to make a difference in students’ lives by giving the opportunity
The Cardinal Connection Staff
to express their ideas and voice their opinions.
Ashley Grusing
Cody Pitts
The views represented in The Cardinal Connection are those of the editorial
Jessica Roberts
staff. They do not reflect the views of CHS students or the administration.
Kaleigh Wulf
Ann Asbury, adviser
Letters to the editor must be signed and may be edited. Letters to be printed
are chosen by the editorial staff. Please submit typed letters to Mrs. Asbury
in Room 405.
“If you could change
any school rule,
what would it be and why?”
Mason LeBlanc, sr.
“I would change the no facial hair
rule because it’s a form of self
expression.”
Joe Hubener, jr.
“I would change it to where we
could be allowed to wear cut-offs.”
Elizabeth Reichert, soph.
“I would change the no texting
during class rule because when
I’m bored in class I’d rather text
my friends who are in other
classes.”
Mallorie Mills, fr.
“I would change it where we would
be able to have phones in class.”
Page 4/Oct. 1, 2009
Updates
Art C lub
Art Club has made
painted tiles and tie-died
shirts. They meet every
Monday after school.
Students interested in Art
Club need to see Mrs.
Montgomery.
BPA
The Cardinal Connection
Knowledge, fun in Scholars’ Bowl
By Jessica Roberts
Scholars’ Bowl
competitions are made up of
questions from history, math,
foreign language, music,
current events and literature.
The team practices during
seminar with either a partner or
member of the team or studies
by themselves.
They study hard to win
competitions but, according to
Logan Teague, sr., it’s a lot of
StuCo
Science C lub
The Science Club has
so far been to the Eagle
Valley Raptor Center
and hopes to go on
more field trips and do
many fun projects. They
meet every Wednesday
after school; anyone is
welcome to join.
Vocal Music
On Friday, Oct. 2, the
KMEA group went to the
Heartland Festival to
learn their new music.
This year it will be all
in different languages,
which are Russian, Latin,
and German.
photo by Danielle Creek
Stephanie Marston, sr., and
Katie Kopper, sr., practice.
The “Bigs” Story
BPA is currently selling
discount cards for $10.
Their first conference is
in Wichita in January.
StuCo is hosting
Homecoming Oct. 49; dress-up days can
be found on page 1.
They also attended the
regional conference Sept.
23 in Haysville.
fun.
Usually they have set
practices where they play
lightning rounds, which are
set up like the competitions
but they’re competing against
themselves.
The most fun about the
group is winning Logan said.
He also thinks there are a
lot of people who are not on
Scholars’ Bowl who should be.
Photo by Ally Nikkel
Sydney Ewy, sr., plays volleyball with her little.
By Jessica Roberts
Every Monday elementary
and middle school students get
the chance to meet with their
big brothers and big sisters
during seminar. These are
not their biological siblings,
but their “bigs” through Big
Brothers/Big Sisters.
Counselor Debbie Hillman
said 18 bigs signed up for the
program for the high school.
They have no new issues so
far; Hillman hopes that the
“littles” will have a positive
experience.
She said the littles enjoy
spending time with the high
school kids.
Debate
Friends of Rachel till you
doing F.O.R. others d rop
The motto for Friends of
two bake sales, Oct. 2 and Oct.
Rachel (F.O.R.) is, “We pledge 29, during the football games.
to make a positive difference in The proceeds from these sales
the world.” They have started
will be used for local charities
out the year
yet to be deterdoing just
mined.
“We pledge to
that.
Other activimake a positive
During
ties for the year
difference in the will include
Homecoming
week, Oct.
hosting KSHworld.”
5 through
SAA Activities
Oct. 9, they
Week in October
will be collecting pajamas to
and their annual game night
send to an overseas orphanfor CHS students. It is not too
age. They are accepting new
late to get involved; interested
or used pajamas from infant
students just need to listen for
through teens. They ask that
announcements about the next
used pajamas be washed.
seminar meeting.
They will also be hosting
By Jessica Roberts
Debate is pretty intense
according to Sara Teague,
soph., but it is also “a crazy
ball of awesome.”
She enjoys learning from
teacher Carla Simmons and
Coach Jonna Murphy.
Students not only learn
public speaking and research
skills, they also learn how to
organize.
The current resolution deals
with poverty, what it is and
how to solve it. Debaters are
working on their research now
and are doing Squirrel Kills
(mini debates) to prepare for
regionals on Dec. 18.
For newspaper suggestions, please place your ideas in the
suggestion box in Mrs. Asbury’s room.
Oct. 1, 2009/Page 5
The Cardinal Connection
Cross Country
Web
R e a d y t o p e r fo r m
Links
By Cody Pitts
The cross country team,
under the direction of Coach
Rich Simmons, is confident.
Talking about this season,
Simmons said, “We’re very
motivated this season.”
With the early success
of their time trials and the
extensive training regimen
they go through, observers can
begin to see why they’re so
motivated.
Brandon Pickett, sr., said
he “liked the team huddles to
get everyone psyched before
the race.” He also noticed how
most of team is especially
physically fit, “Everyone looks
like good runners this year.”
With everyone in such good
shape, and the team’s uplifted
spirits, all expect great things
from the cross country.
Being in good shape does
helps the team succeed, but
they sometimes run against
much larger schools, which
can be a disadvantage. Teams
like the Wichita Southeast
Golden Buffaloes, a 6A school
with nearly three times the
number of student athletes as
Cheney, have a huge numerical
advantage because of the pool
of runners.
Even with a smaller team
than most, the runners are still
enthusiastic. Jessica Morton,
sr., said that the girls’ cross
country team was “looking
good,” and that “everyone
has really good times this
season…we’re eating team
meals together, and it really
boosts team spirit.” (The team
eats a meal of pasta the day
before each meet.)
Cheer
http://cheney268.com/CHS/CHSathetics.htm
Cross
Country
http://cheney268.com/CHS/CHSathetics.htm
Football
http://cheney268.com/CHS/CHSathetics.htm
Girls’
Golf
http://cheney268.com/CHS/CHSathetics.htm
Brandon LeFevre, jr.,
Blake Satterfield, jr., Seth
Alstrom, sr., and Hunter
Veith, fr., prepare to start
the race at the Cessna
meet.
photo by Merissa Quick
Are you ready for some football?
By Cody Pitts
With most of the team
returning from summer and
only a few seniors leaving the
team, the football team has
a strong chance of success.
Most of the starters were pretty
optimistic
Josh Wood, jr., looking at
the schedule, said, “That’s
gonna be a tough game,” as he
looked at one opponent, and
“I don’t know about that one,”
about another. Josh thought
that the games, though tough ,
would also be fun.
Brian Oxendine, sr., who
plays wide receiver, said,
“This year we’re practicing a
lot; we run drills, and focus
on breaking [the other team’s]
line.”
“Maybe, we should practice
more passes,” said Matt Gillett,
jr. He thinks the passing game
needs work, but the overall
feeling of the team is one of
positive hopefulness and just
all-around good thoughts.
“The Garden Plain game
looks tough, but I don’t really
know,” said Tyler Rosenhagen,
jr. The game did prove to be
tough; the Cards lost against
Garden Plain on Sept. 25.
Considering the overall
skill and size of some of the
players, the schedule doesn’t
really matter for the football
team; they plan to win.
Volleyball
http://cheney268.com/CHS/CHSathetics.htm
Upcoming
Events
Oct. 5 JV Golf
@ Cheney
Oct. 5 JV Fball
@ Douglass
Oct. 6 JV/V Golf
@ Mulvane
Oct. 6 JV/V Vball
@ Douglass
Oct. 8 CC
@ Medicine Lodge
Oct. 9 V Fball
@ Cheney
Oct. 10 JV Vball
@ Chaparral
photo by Whitney Pinkley
Derek Hickey, sr., moves the
ball against Bluestem.
Oct. 12 Regional Golf
Oct. 12 JV Fball
@ Belle Plaine
5
Page 6/Aug. 24, 2009
results from recent student survey given during seminar
Music Mania
ACROSS
2. “That’s Not My Name”
3. “Summer Nights”
4. “Big Green Tractor”
7. “Rockstar”
9. “New Divide”
10. “Riot”
DOWN
1. “Billie Jean”
5. “She Wolf”
6. “Down With the Sickness”
8. “Diva”
end a Q
Br
vis J o
5
Genre: heavy metal
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Station:
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Song: “I Run to You” Lady Antebellum
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4
Genre: TIE: Christian & punk
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Station:
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Genre: alternative
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Singer/Band: Lil’ Wayne
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Song: “Big Green Tractor” Jason Aldean
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Genre: TIE: Rock & Rap/Hip Hop
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Song: “Rockin’ the Beer Gut” Trailer Choir
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Genre: country
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Song: “Down” Jay Sean
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Th
top
music
The Cardinal Connection
oo d
First Concert: Alice Cooper
Best Concert: Keith Urban/Jason Aldean
# Concerts Attended: “Many!”
Concert Memory: “I still have concert ticket
stub for Sawyer Brown, it was $17 back in the
90’s.”
First Concert: Tesla/Great White
Best Concert: Willie Nelson
# Concerts Attended: “Too many to count.”
Dream Concert: Red Hot Chili Peppers
First Concert: Black Crowes/Aerosmith
Best Concert: Aerosmith
# Concerts Attended: 15
Concert Memory: “I was on the front row at
Aerosmith and high fived Steven Tyler.”
First Concert: Alabama
Best Concert: Clint Black/Dwight Yoakam
# Concerts Attended: 10 or 12
Dream Concert: Zac Brown Band
First Concert: Styx
Best Concert: Van Halen
# Concerts Attended: 10
Concert Memory: “The [Styx] ticket was
$12.50!”