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October 14, 2005 - Volume 34, Issue 3
National Convention
to provide
valuable experience for attendees
By Melanie Weilert, sr.
Editor-in-Chief
After a long absence from the National FFA Convention, the local
chapter decided in recent years that a return was well deserved. Last year,
the group attended the convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and is currently
making plans to go again this year.
According to Matt Kerr, FFA sponsor, eight students involved in the Humboldt
FFA Chapter will be selected to attend the National Convention through process
of application. The applications are to be judged by two other agriculture
instructors and selected by quality of involvement.
“I have continued my involvement in FFA because it is a great organization
that involves leadership and commitment,” said Jacob Homewood, sr.,
parliamentarian. “I hope to be able to attend the National Convention
so that I can learn about future jobs that I may wish to possess.”
Those in attendance will have the opportunity to explore over 500 different
career options in the agricultural field during one of the largest career
fairs for high school students in the country. Over 1,300 booths representing
colleges and agricultural-related companies will be available. Exhibitors
will additionally offer attendees information about post-secondary job training
and education.
“When students learn something in the classroom and then they have the
opportunity to go out and apply it hands on in the real world against others,
then I think they understand what they were taught and that they can actually
use it,” said Kerr.
Students will also have opportunity to listen to motivational speakers, attend
leadership workshops, and partake in educational tours. One of the workshops
the group plans to attend will discuss how student leaders can improve themselves
as well as their team through cooperative competition. The goal of attendance
is to allow FFA students to grow personally and to bring home innovative ideas
back to the Humboldt FFA Chapter.
“I hope that we will have the opportunity to learn parliamentary procedures
for our meetings. We don’t carry them out as often as we should and
National FFA will motivate us to do it right,” said Sarah Works, so.,
sentinel.
Speakers at the convention include Amanda Gore, one of Australia’s most
popular professional public speakers. Gore will discuss the key to keeping
energy and happiness through balance. Other entertainment includes concerts
featuring performers SheDaisy, Craig Morgan, Clay Walker, and Miranda Lambert.
Attending FFA members are scheduled to depart from Humboldt around 5:30 a.m.
on October 26 and drive the 260 miles to Louisville by six in the evening.
The group plans to leave Louisville around two in the afternoon on October
29 and arrive back to Humboldt by 12 in the morning on October 30.
Football steps down to 2A class
By Robbie Ball
and Shawna Dawson, srs.
Reporters
This year, the state classifications for USD #258 have changed,
but only for high school football. The change is to take place during the
2006-07 football season, as the sport will go down from a 3A classification
to a 2A.
Football classifications are counted every two years and determined by the
number of students within the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades. Due to the
decreased number of incoming freshmen, Humboldt football fell below the required
number to be classified as 3A. For this type of classification, the largest
32 schools are considered 6A, while the next 32 schools as 5A. The following
64 schools after that are considered 4A and the next 64 are 3A. Humboldt falls
in with the group of 64 schools classified as 2A and ahead of the rest of
the schools in the state considered as 1A.
However, the football team will still compete against the other teams in our
league, as the classifications do not eliminate Tri-Valley League play. The
only difference will be the transition to a new district, which includes some
of the toughest teams in the state. Humboldt will go up against Pittsburg
Colgan, Uniontown, and Pleasanton.
“I think that going down to 2A is going to be tough, because there are
so many good teams,” said Craig Smith, vice principal and athletics
director. “But, I know that playing better teams will get the kids to
work harder to improve their performance.”
Another team dropping down to 2A in football is Yates Center, whose classification
change will also not affect their involvement in Tri-Valley League play.
Speakers promote positive lifestyle
By Haley Terflinger, sr.
Sports Manager
Over the past few weeks, school administration has been bringing
in motivational speakers to enforce a stronger message about leadership and
the problems of substance abuse and sexual activity.
One of the motivational speakers was Miss Kansas 2005, Adrienne Rosel. Rosel
gave a presentation to the students and faculty in an assembly about positive
influences, peer pressure, and the importance of abstinence.
Other speakers, so far, included Mike Hill, who also spoke to students and
faculty in about abstinence, particularly alcohol. He additionally came to
represent a new drug-free program called ‘One Way to Play,’ which
encourages kids to have accountability partners and to live drug and alcohol
free lifestyles.
“We called him in to promote a school climate without drugs or alcohol,”
said Jason Feeback, counselor.
During Hill’s presentation, abstinence agreement forms were handed out
for each student to voluntarily fill out. The forms were created to show each
student’s commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
“I hope it helps,” said Feeback. “I do not think that having
two speakers come in is going to change kids’ lives, but I hope the
program inspires kids to be good examples and leaders.”
School administration hopes to have more speakers come in to talk to students
as well as additional abstinence and leadership programs for kids to become
involved in. Their goal is to help students out as much as possible, even
on the individual and personal level.
“We would like to help students who have personal problems, but they
have to come to us. If they are struggling and ask for it, we will find help
for them,” said Feeback.
This year during ‘buffer week,’ which is to be held sometime in
November between the changing sports seasons, the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes will be sponsoring a dodgeball tournament for students. The tournament
will consist of five-player teams, of which at least three must be girls.
The event is being held in order to promote and support the drug-free message
that is being conveyed to students.
PHOTO BY MELANIE WEILERT
Who’s afraid of the big bad...
As part of his English I class, freshman Malachi
Melton reads the story he co-wrote along
with Andy Hill, fr., and Thad Wells,
fr., infront of Nancy Weilert’s kindergarten class.
With a similar
plotline to the well known '
Three Little Pigs’ tale, Melton’s story
had a surprising
twist
where instead, three wolves fell victim to a big,
bad pig.
BOE holds bond issue kick off for community
Public takes tour of district schools and areas to be affected by construction
By Melanie Weilert, sr.
Editor-in-Chief
During the bond issue kickoff held on October 10, the
Board of Education provided tours of the high school, middle school, and
elementary
school buildings to the public in attendance.
Dan Weilert, BOE president, introduced Robert Heigele, superintendent of schools,
and gave a short update over their arrival to the kickoff in the current process
of the bond issue. Heigele gave a Power Point presentation concerning the
various repairs, construction, and renovations that would be required, as
well as the use of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB), capital outlay funds,
and the bond issue.
The public in attendance were divided into several tour groups and escorted
by high school students who guided them throughout the facilities at both
the high school and middle school. Board members and administration provided
additional detail as to what they were planning to do concerning various items
of the buildings.
Current plans include: the conversion of the weight training area to administrative
offices, conversion of the band room to a weight training area, conversion
of the administrative offices to band storage and band director’s office,
conversion of the auditorium to a multipurpose fine arts facility, conversion
of the locker rooms underneath bleachers to a storage area, refurbishing
of
lockers, renovation of north locker rooms, relocation of downstairs lockers
to elementary school, construction of a covered walkway between the middle
school and cafeteria, installation of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning), installation of energy efficient lighting and windows, installation
of a welding ventilation system as well as dust collection system, installation
of emergency lighting, improvements upon security lighting on the exterior
of the buildings, and upgrades to large ticket items within the kitchens
of
both the high school and elementary school.
Directly proceeding the tour of the high school and middle school facilities,
the public was taken by bus to the elementary school for a tour given by Kay
Bolt, elementary school principal. Bolt explained what was to be done concerning
the elementary school, including exterior painting, interior carpeting, storm
drainage repair, sidewalk repair, lowered ceilings, improved lighting, and
upgrades to the mechanical system. It was noted that most of the QZAB and
capital outlay funding would be used within the elementary school.
Before the BOE meeting held on October 11, Dr. Sean McReynolds, D.D.S., gave
a presentation to the City Council and mayor at the City Council meeting
over
the ‘On Target for Kids’ program, which promotes the passing
of the bond issue. In attendance for the presentation were the BOE, school
principals,
and district superintendent.
During the actual meeting, the Board presented a certificate of appreciation
for Patricia Karr, the mother of Humboldt graduate Dakota Karr, who passed
away in May, for her donation of $5,000 to the graphic arts program. The
money
was used to purchase four new computers for the program, along with 20 upgrades
for Photoshop to be used within the graphic arts and journalism programs.
The remainder of the funds will be used to start a memorial scholarship in
Dakota Karr’s name.
Other items discussing during the meeting included the approval for an increase
in salary for bus drivers who took on driving jobs for activity trips. Previously,
in many cases drivers lost wages for being unable to make up their normal
bus route. Now, instead of only receiving $8.05 per hour, drivers will receive
make up pay for up to three hours with an additional $8.05 per hour.
The Board also approved to pay for half of the Humboldt Recreation Commission’s
new pitching machine, as the schools within the district will gain from use
of it through athletics programs. Scott Murrow was approved as the new HRC
commissioner to fill the vacancy left by the retiring president.
Future Farmers of America sponsor, Matt Kerr, along with various student officers,
gave a presentation over the National FFA Convention to be held in Louisville,
Kentucky, from October 26 to 28. The BOE agreed to supply the group with a
district vehicle and to purchase gas.
Teri DeGeer, counselor, provided a State Assessment report to the Board. According
to the report, the district was ranked eighth in Southeast Kansas on their
State Assessment performance.
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