February 13, 2009 - Vol. 37. Issue 9

Forensic tournaments begin
By Bret Hauser, jr.
Reporter

Forensics started off their season on Jan. 31. They traveled to Neodesha, but they did not go further than the first three rounds.

Those attending the meet were senior Deron Owens and juniors Kyle Warren and Bret Hauser.

“Forensics is a good experience; it teaches you how to speak correctly and how to talk to people better,” Warren said.

Their next meet was the Iola Invitational on Feb. 7. Those attending were Warren, Hauser, and also juniors Glendolyn Neely and Chris Coronado. Coronado participated in prose for his first ever meet. Neely also did prose along with Hauser, who broke into finals. After finals Hauser got third place.


Photo by Kim Isbell
Senior Deron Owens and junior Chris Coronado practice for their skit titled Two Old
Men. They will be performing their duet at the League meet on Mar. 6-7 at Fredonia.

There are nine categories; however, a participant can only participate in two per meet. There are three types of speeches: extemporaneous, informative and original oration. For an extemporaneous speech the person makes up a speech in 30 minutes over a current event. Informative speech is an informational speech over any topic. Original oration is a persuasive 10-minute speech over any topic.

Members can also participate in other events such as prose and poetry. For these categories, a story or a poem is read with the participant’s interpretation.

There are also four acting events. There is serious solo, humorous solo, duet acting and improvised duet acting, which the actors make up after receiving the situation and characters.

“Forensic tournaments are so much fun,” Gracie Newman, sponsor, said. “They help kids develop public speaking and communication skills. I would like to see more students involved though.”

Cheer clinic program tonight
By Callie Umholtz, sr.
Sports Editor

Spreading spirit to youth and showing what spirit is all about is what the Humboldt High School cheerleaders do. The cheerleaders and their sponsor Hailey Schoendaller started the after school spirit program after being asked by elementary school principal, Kay Bolt.

The program was open to students from grades K-5. In three weeks the cheerleaders met five times in the elementary school multipurpose room with the attendees. Working with the kids from 3:30-5:30 p.m., the girls taught the kids several cheers and different moves. The girls also had many activities that the children got to enjoy, like tag and simon says.


Photo by Megan Dewey
Three elementary school girls pose after practicing their dance.

“I love working with the little ones because they really enjoy the things we teach them,” Joy Myers, fr., said. “They have great attitudes when working and always put forth a great effort.”

The cheerleaders also taught the children a dance. Both the kids and cheerleaders will get to perform the dance they learned at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game tonight.


Photo by Megan Dewey
Sophomore Taylor Fitzmaurice leads a cheer during one of the cheer clinic practices.

The girls are hoping to get some of the kids interested and excited about cheerleading. They hope that some of them will end up cheering in the future.

“This experience [the clinic] has been a great learning opportunity for both the high school girls and the elementary students,” Schoendaller said.


Photo by Megan Dewey
Emma Carson and Isabelle Murrow work on the cheer that they will be performing tonight.

Students of the Issue
Jacki Huse, fr.
By Randi Barnett, sr.
News Editor

Jackilyn Huse is a freshman that is very involved in high school activities. She loves to help people, and that is why she is involved in things such as FCCLA, cheerleading, LEOs, and FCA.

“FCCLA is a great way to get involved in the community, along with LEOs,” Huse said. “I’ve always been interested in the school groups since I watched my sisters go through high school and saw all of the cool things they got to do.”

Along with school activities, Huse is helping in the fight against cancer by participating in Relay for Life.

“My mom’s battle with cancer inspired me to want to help the cancer-affected,” Huse said.

After high school Huse plans on attending Pittsburg State University or the University of Kansas. She would like to go into nursing, childhood development, or possibly even counseling.

Huse’s possible career choices are based on her love of helping people.

Her hobbies include reading, writing, playing piano, being around her family and little kids, hanging out with friends, cheerleading, and singing.

“I’ve always loved music, so when I was given the opportunity to learn how to play piano, I took it,” Huse said. “Playing the piano will give me a lot of opportunities as I get older.”

Nick Miller, jr.
By Bret Hauser, jr.
Reporter

Along with school, junior Nick Miller is also interested in sports and cars. Throughout his high school career Miller has been involved in weightlifting, track, and FCCLA. He has been part of the weightlifting team and track team for three years and FCCLA for one.

Coach Travis Burk introduced weightlifting to him after he pulled him into weightlifting one summer, and he has not stopped since.

When he is not in school Miller likes to race on the local dirt tracks in the street stock category. He also helps his dad out in their auto shop. Miller is currently helping build his brother’s race car.

He also helped build his own car that they bought half of and built the other half themselves.

“My dad raced, so I grew up around the racing atmosphere,” Miller said. “Racing is competitive and an enjoyable way to spend my free time, and it is an adrenaline rush.”

After school Miller works at the Neosho County Airport as the lineman every week day. The lineman’s job is to flag in the incoming airplanes; then he is to fill the plane with fuel and put them away.

After Miller graduates he is planning on going to college at Wichita Area Technical College and major in engineering.

“I want to go into engineering but also take some automotive classes on the side,” Miller said.

BOE accepts two resignations
By Alexis Hosack, jr.
Feature Editor

Members of the USD 258 Board of Education met Monday. First off, the Board accepted the resignation of both first grade teacher Gayla Banz and Superintendent Bob Heigele. He will continue to serve as superintendent until his contract expires after the 09-10 school year.

The Board then approved the tentative plans for the senior trip. The seniors plan to stay in Kansas City for two nights in March.

Heigele then reported on the progress of the building trades house. The Board approved his request to begin making plans for the marketing of the house. According to Heigele, there are several parties interested in purchasing it.

The Board also discussed the issue of purchasing a new school bus to replace the one that was totaled. The district received a $57,462.04 insurance settlement for the bus. The Board resolved to buy a new bus that will cost $71,000.

Next, Kay Bolt gave the elementary school report. They are preparing for state assessments, and the fourth grade class will be taking a national test in which each student will be tested in either reading, science, or math.

K.B. Criss reported on the high school and presented plans of setting up a courtyard area near the high school and a bench area between the middle school and the tech. building. A ballpark estimate of the cost of this project was anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000.

Senior Signing ~Andrew Whitaker~ Hutchinson Community College

Andrew Whitaker signed a letter of intent to play football for Hutchinson Community College during the 09-10 school year.


Photo by Bailey Myers
(From top left) Coaches Jason Feeback and Travis
Burk, Curt, Andrew, and Sandy Whitaker
“I chose Hutchinson because they can offer me a better opportunity for advancement in my football career,” Whitaker said.

State Assessment dates approach
By Bailey Myers, sr.
Editor-in-Chief

As state assessments approach, students and teachers alike have buckled down on preparations. Dates for the tests have all been set, and rewards for meeting standards have also been decided.

Like usual, freshmen, sophomores and juniors will all be taking state assessment tests. Some of these students have been preparing for the tests since before winter break.

“Assessment Prep. class is a great way to review materials that students may have forgotten from previous years,” Tim Endicott, math teacher, said. “I’m finding that it is beneficial to the students, and they have come a long way.”

Freshmen will be taking only the first part of the science test. Students that meet the standards will be given one day out early for summer break.

Sophomores will be taking three tests this year: math, reading, and science. Two days out apiece will be awarded for meeting standards on each of these tests. However, the days out for the science test will be received in December.

Juniors will be taking the writing assessment. The two days out for meeting standards will also be used in December before winter break next year.

Scholars honored at KU banquet
By Bailey Myers, sr.
Editor-in-Chief

Every year since 1971 the University of Kansas holds a banquet for students ranking in the top 10 percent of their class for Humboldt’s surrounding counties.

This year the banquet was held at Iola High School on Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m.. Schools attending were Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Marmaton Valley, Uniontown, and Yates Center.


Photo by Baylie Morris
Seniors David Setter, Todd Hauser, Bailey Myers, Shelley
Herder, and Kelci Owens were recognized as honor scholars.

The banquet included a dinner, guest speakers, and even some entertainment.

“The food was delicious,” senior David Setter said. “I am honored to be a Kansas Honor Scholar in the top 10 percent of my class.”

Club Briefs

FCCLA

Juniors Glendolyn Neely and Mary Hauser were elected district officers for Humboldt on Feb. 4. As district officers Neely and Hauser speak for the Humboldt Chapter.


Photo courtesy of Glendolyn Neely

Two delegates from each of 19 schools in the FCCLA district voted for the district officers. Freshmen Emily Durand and Hannah McCall help Hauser and Neely with their district responsibilities.

FFA
Members prepare for National FFA Week, Career Day
By Tyler Gean, jr.
Reporter

Students involved with FFA are beginning to prepare for FFA week which will be  Feb. 23-27. The week before they will be doing their radio ads to announce that FFA week is approaching and what is planned during the week.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 will start off the festivities when  the Greenhand Pizza Party will take place.

Also on that day will be the Ag. Olympics. The fourth Annual Career Day will take place on Feb. 25; there are 15 different occupations signed up to participate.

The faculty appreciation breakfast will be on Feb. 26 at 7 a.m., prepared by FFA members.

“As secretary of FFA, I enjoy FFA week because it gives us a chance to give back to the school and the community,” Jacob Manbeck, jr., said. “The Greenhand party is always a big event for the younger students in FFA.”

FCA
Ryan Wheller inspires FCA meeting attendees
By Crystal Crays, sr.
Advertising Editor

On Feb. 5, FCA had a guest speaker. The speaker, Ryan Wheller, is the Associate Pastor at the Living Word church in Chanute. Wheller is also the principal of the Chanute Christian Academy.

“[Wheller] was a good speaker,” Kevin Barker, jr., said. “I thought that his message about how Christians should stand out from everyone else was good.”

Wheller spoke about people not meeting their full potential and criteria that God has set for them. He said Christians need to be different and let those who are not Christians or saved know that the Christians are doing God’s work.

Another of Wheller’s points was that oftentimes, teenagers are not willing to do the hard things for Christ, and that they should not worry so much about being ‘cool’. He wrapped up his speech with a prayer.

Outside these walls
Information compiled by Randi Barnett, News Editor, from cnn.com

Local
 Lutheran Church holds Annual Groundhog Feed

On Feb. 7 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Lutheran Church members held their annual Groundhog Pancake Feed. Everyone who wanted to attend was welcome.

The feed was used as a fundraiser for church needs. The men’s club prepared the pancakes.

Four dollars per adult was charged for as many pancakes as the people attending could eat. Any child could eat for $2.50. Approximately 600 people attended the fundraiser.

Pancakes were served with sausage patties. Packages of sausage were available after the feed for $2 per pound.

State/National
Children's health care package bill proposed

The House of Representatives is working to pass a bill that will provide health care for children whose families cannot afford private insurance.

The Senate voted 66-32 to pass the bill. All who voted against it were Republicans.

Approximately four million children will benefit if the bill is passed by the House and signed by President Obama.

The bill will be paid for by a 61 percent per pack raise on federal cigarette tax.

President Obama has said that he wants to sign the bill quickly if the House passes it.

This could help millions of families during the economic recession who make too much money to qualify for Medicade but cannot pay for private insurance.

World
 Cocoa-covered illegal immigrants use truck to sneak across border

Fifteen suspected illegal immigrants were discovered by Ukraine police in a cocoa powder truck trying to smuggle across the London border.

The immigrants were in a truck that was headed to a Mars chocolate factory. Snickers, Twix, Milky Ways, Mars Bars, and other various candy bars are produced in this factory.

All of the immigrants were male, from the age of 20 to 40. None of them were found to be injured after they were examined by the ambulance service.

The Dutch driver of the cocoa truck was arrested after the illegal immigrants were apprehended and turned over to the border agency.

Activity Calendar


Click on image to download calendar as a PDF file.

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