Forensics competes in state

The Forensics team traveled to Kansas City Kansas Community College on Saturday, May 5 to compete in state.

Forensics teacher Jeanette Hardesty thinks the team did exceptionally well.

“[The team] finished very strong after their spring season. Congratulations to the seniors who have remained consistent and dedicated for the last three to four years. These students are; Josh Duden, Brayton Young, Hanna Brinker, Malaya Reece, Matt Eber, and Tyler Owsley,” Hardesty said. “It has been a privilege and joy coaching these seniors, along with the rest of the team.”

The results are as follows:

I ratings:

Junior Megan Marquardt, poetry

Sophomore Madison Plouvier, Serious Solo Acting

Sophomore Victoria Kilkenny, prose

Senior Malayia Reece, informative

Junior Lexi Riddle, informative

Junior Alex Maupin and Plouvier, duet

Senior Brayton Young, prose

Senior Hannah Brinker, Serious Solo Acting

Senior Tyler Owsley, Original Oration

Junior Alex Reeves, Extemporaneous Speaking

Marquardt, prose

Senior Josh Duden and junior Hailee Windsor, duet

II ratings:

Sophomore Meghan Fuller and Windsor, Improvised Duet Acting

Riddle, Extemporaneous Speaking

Duden, Extemporaneous Speaking

Owsley, Extemporaneous Speaking

Young, Humorous Solo Acting

Senior Matt Eber and Reece, duet

Friends in Learning students build relationships

Senior Sammy Le handed junior Tyler Dubas pizza boxes hand-stamped by the special education students for Pizza West on Friday, Jan. 26. She smiled and patted the spot in the shopping cart where he needed to set them.

Twelve students, including Le, met every block except Silver 1 to mentor special education students like Dubas. Tasks like stamping pizza boxes gave special education students practical experiences to participate in. Special education teacher Rachel Rada appreciated the benefits of the class, but believed it could always expand.

“I’ve had a great group of kids this year,” Rada said. “But [the class] can always improve. It would be nice to see more boys involved since I have all boy students.”

While in class, Friends in Learning students worked with the special education students on social and daily living skills such as real world math and reading, trips to the grocery store, job coaching and arts and crafts.

Though Le enjoyed helping the special education students, the task required a lot of patience, a responsibility she found difficult.

“Sometimes you have to be really, really patient,” Le said. “It’s easier to just do everything for [the students], but you really just have to cater to their learning style.”

Maintaining relationships with the special education students proved to require just as much effort as the average relationship.

“[Students with disabilities] are just like us,” Le said. “They have days when they’re cranky and just want to be by themselves. But there are other days when they’re really social.”

Along with the other Friends in Learning students, senior Hannah Brinker built and maintained relationships with the special education students by greeting them in the hallways and helping them get along, a key part of the class.

“I feel like I have a strong relationship with the students,” Brinker said. “I love being around all of them.”

Rada said that Friends in Learning also helped students stand up for their peers with disabilities.

“[This class] helps the general education students advocate for their peers and break down any misconceptions of students with disabilities,” Rada said. “My students [also] learn how to advocate for themselves.”

Forensics team places first at Basehor-Linwood

The Forensics team took first place at the Basehor-Linwood meet on Saturday, March 3.

The medals are as follows:

Sophomore Madison Plouvier and junior Alex Maupin, first in duet

Senior Matt Eber and senior Malayia Reece, sixth in duet

Junior Lexi Riddle, second in informative speech

Reece, fourth in informative speech

Senior Tyler Owsley, third in Original Oration

Plouvier, third in Serious Solo Acting

Junior Stephanie Ciston, fourth in Serious Solo Acting

Senior Hannah Brinker, fifth in Serious Solo Acting

Junior Megan Marquardt, sixth in Serious Solo Acting

Senior Paige Hillebert, sixth in Humorous Solo Acting

Junior Hailee Windsor, fourth in poetry

Forensics team places 12th in meet at St. Thomas Aquinas

The Forensics team placed 12th at St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Forensics teacher Jeanette Hardesty was satisfied with the team.

“I was very pleased with the team’s performance,” Hardesty said. “The meet at St. Thomas Aquinas was large with some rounds having 40 students, and only six students can advance to the finals.”

Sophomore Tori Kilkenny hopes to improve.

“I’m surprised that I did so well for the first forensics meet but I hope I can continue to get better,” Kilkenny said.

The medals are as follows:

Junior Alex Reeves, fifth in Original Oration

Junior Lexi Riddle, fourth in Informative

Senior Josh Duden, third in Impromptu

Senior Tyler Owsley, fifth in Impromptu

Sophomore Clare Young, second in prose

Junior Megan Marquardt, sixth in prose

Clare Young, fourth in poetry

Senior Brayton Young and junior Hailee Windsor, fifth in duo

Junior Alex Maupin and Kilkenny, sixth in duo

Duden and Windsor, third in duet

Senior Hannah Brinker and Kilkenny, fourth in duet

Sophomore Daniel Ward and sophomore Kara Lewis, fifth in duet

Cancer foundation VP resigns after Planned Parenthood controversy

Susan G. Komen Foundation vice president Karen Handel resigned Tuesday, Feb. 7 after the foundation went through controversy over funding for Planned Parenthood, a provider of reproductive health services.

Handel, a strong pro-life supporter, played a major role in Susan G. Komen’s decision not to continue to support Planned Parenthood, where abortions are available. The foundation cut funding for breast cancer screenings at the clinics, 170,000 of which it directly supported last year. However, upon coming under scrutiny and threats from lawmakers, the foundation reversed its original decision.

Handel has worked as Susan G. Komen’s vice president since April of 2011.

“I have known Karen for many years … and I wish her the best in future endeavors,” Susan G. Komen founder and CEO Nancy Brinker said in a statement.

While the Komen foundation has reversed its opinion on the funding of Planned Parenthood, or the lack thereof, Planned Parenthood has brought in more than $3 million in the days following Komen’s announcement.

“The outpouring of support for the work Planned Parenthood does every day on the front lines has been inspiring,” vice president of external affairs for Planned Parenthood Leola Zeis said in a statement released Tuesday, Feb. 7. “And now it’s time for us to move forward and continue to provide the prevention services that thousands rely upon every year.”

Forensics takes home 11 medals from meet at Lansing

The Forensics team took home 11 medals from the meet at Lansing High School on Saturday, Jan. 28.

 Forensics teacher Jeanette Hardesty appreciates the team’s hard work.

 ”The strengths of our team is team work,” Hardesty said. “All students support each other and pull together when needed to fill in for a category when someone does not show up. They are a wonderful group of students to work with.”

 Hardesty thinks there is room for improvement.

 ”We can practice our pieces to improve for our next meet and get each speech, act, and solo act perfectly blocked and memorized,” Hardesty said.

 The medals are as follows:

Senior Josh Duden, fourth in Domestic Extemporaneous

Senior Tyler Owsley, fifth in Domestic Extemporaneous

Junior Lexi Riddle, third in Foreign Extemporaneous and sixth in Original Oration

Duden and junior Hailee Windsor, second in duet

Sophomore Clare Young and senior Matt Eber, sixth in duet

Senior Hannah Brinker, fifth in prose

Young, fourth in prose

Windsor, second in poetry

Brinker and sophomore Joe Gunter, sixth in Improvised Duet Acting

Duden and Young, fourth in Improvised Duet Acting

Graduation ceremony moves outdoors

Graduation is set to change to a new schedule and system this year. It will occur on Saturday, May 19, and is planned to occur outdoors.

According to the released graduation statement from principal Tobie Waldeck, graduation is planned to take place at the Jaguar football stadium, instead of in the gym where it has been done in the past. This is in response to a survey taken by the current senior class at the end of the last academic year. Waldeck said within the statement that he is dedicated to make this day unique and different for the class of 2012.

“I want to assure you I am committed to having a successful and memorable graduation for the MVHS Class of 2012,” Waldeck said within the statement. “Our students have worked hard and deserve this opportunity to celebrate their special day outdoors.”

The schedule is tentative in the event of inclement weather occurs. If such an occasion arises, the ceremony will be moved into the gym and a ticket system will be put in place.

The graduation ceremony will also take place at 10 a.m. instead of the usual afternoon scheduled time of 3 p.m. Senior Hannah Brinker said she is excited about the changes.

“I think [the changes] are a good idea,” Brinker said. “Now you can spend more time with your family and friends afterwards.”

The following is the new updated schedule for graduation:

Tuesday, May 15- Check out caps and gowns in the Little Theatre – You will be called during seminar, senior transcript requests due today to registrar Deana Thom.

Wednesday, May 16- All senior examinations completed by the end of third block, lunch at school and locker clean-out, senior class meeting – in the Little Theatre at noon, graduation rehearsal, check-out sheets due today, too. Also, completed check-out sheets must be handed in to the counseling office before you leave the building.

Thursday, May 17- senior fun day

Friday, May 18- senior breakfast and awards ceremony

Saturday, May 19- Report to the media center no later than 9 a.m. and remember your cap and gown. After graduation, report to the media center to receive your diploma (all paperwork must be complete.)

Senior girls host food drive

Nine seniors from the Community Service class are hosting a food drive from Monday, Oct. 10-Wednesday, Oct. 19. They will collect all food donations everyday during seminar. The seminar with the most food donations at the end of the food drive will win a surprise. Out of all the other district schools that are participating in the food drive, the school with the most food donations will win a trophy. All proceeds will go to Harvesters.

The nine seniors who are hosting the food drive are seniors Kylie Pfannenstiel, Leah Rettig, Chelsea Rohr, Hannah Brinker, Megan Hightower, Sierra Miles, Kelsey Hamel, Katie Harris and Kelsey Barrett.

The senior girls are hosting a food drive because it is a global issue, they also want to win the food drive with all district schools overall.

The senior girls want to win the food drive with all district schools overall.

“Our goal is to have more donations than the other schools,” Harris said. “So we can win the trophy.”

Guest speaker addresses students about prejudice

Filling one side of the gymnasium two different times, students listened to a presentation about prejudice, racism, labeling and conflict resolution by self-professed peacemaker Calvin Terrell during Silver One on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

“It was really inspiring and it really made an impact and it really spoke to me,” freshman Rebecca Dixon said.

Dixonwas not the only person to believe so.  During his two presentations in the gymnasium and the student leader presentation in the theatre, Terrell extended his message through emotion and example, bringing some students to tears and finishing to standing ovations.

“He…came my freshman year and I thought this time was more powerful than the last time,” senior Hannah Brinker said. “He’s very uplifting.”

Besides speaking at schools, Terrell speaks for communities, corporations, and different types of organizations, and his explanation for why he does so is simple.

“Because it needs to be done,” Terrell said. “Just trying to do my part. Humanity is one and we have to work to reconnect.”

After speaking, all Terrell could do was hope that he had been successful in getting his point across.

“If one person walks away, great,” he said. “If none do, I know I still did my part.”

All three of his presentations boiled down to one simple message.

“[I want] to get people to realize that they have power and they can use their power to harm or help,” he said. “Know your true self. Love your true self.”

Freshman varsity golfer Nathan Brinker

How long have you played golf?

“Probably since kindergarten.”

 Why do you like golf?

“I love how you can just get away from everything and have a good time and just play with friends.”

What do you like about high school?

“It’s a very friendly environment. I get to meet a lot of new people.”

What is your favorite memory from this year?

“Making the golf team is a really good memory and making varsity for the first tournament.”

What is your favorite food?

“Spaghetti. It’s good.”

What is the weirdest dream you’ve ever had?

“I was abducted by aliens. They kind of just took me away. It was weird.”

 What are your fears?

“I hate spiders. Spiders really bug me. They’re just creepy and I can’t tell if they’re fake or not.”

Next Page »