T-Bird TimesSkyline High School | Volume 40, Issue 5 | May 6, 2016

See Seniors Page 4 & 5

the

courtesy photo

Seniors Betsy Giles and Kasey Gilpin receive the citizenship award. The teachers voted on the awards that the kids got at the achievement banquet.

Page 2 News/Opinion May 6, 2016

Students join together for all school picnicby Kamryn StarkReporter

For the second time last Wednesday Skyline held the all school picnic that had activities for students and faculty of all ages.

The idea for the picnic came last year when all the field trips were canceled due to funding issues. After that, a group of parents got together and brainstormed an idea of a picnic to create a special day for all Skyline students.

“It was really fun to be able to hang out with all of the younger kids and to see how they interacted with the older kids, throughout the day,” sophomore Courtney Gamble said. “It was also really cute to see how excited the younger kids got to play in the bounce houses.”

Many different activities were available for the students to spend their time during the picnic. These activities were a petting zoo, bounce houses, hair spray coloring, kickball,

basketball, soccer and side-walk chalk. To end the day the younger kids got back with their class to watch a movie and eat popcorn that was pro-vided by the T-Bird Club.

“I had a lot of fun hanging out with the younger kids and watching them play all day, but I think we should have had some more things to do,” junior Raul Rios said. “Although it was good for the kids to be able to hangout with other kids that aren’t

their age.”The picnic started at 10:30

a.m. and ended at 1:30 p.m. after the entire school took a picture together outside in the bleachers. Students stayed with their T-Birds Teams through-out the day and participated in the different activities with their group. Lunch was served at different times for the different groups. The lunch included a hot dog, beans, carrots, chips and a cookie.

“I think what sets Skyline

a part is the leadership from our high schoolers, dedication of the staff and willingness of parent volunteers,” picnic coordinator Diane House said. “We couldn’t do things like this without all of these peo-ple. So I think today was an amazing reflection of who the Skyline community is.”

The purpose of the picnic was for staff and students at Skyline to have a day to get together, relax and have a good time.

Editor ..................Caden Patterson

Staff Reporters ........... Mason BrackHallee Burgardt

Miranda GhummMiKayla HagerJustin HampelKamryn Stark

Andrew Withers

Adviser ....................Judy Hampel

Photographers .... Alyssa Allphin Sarah Beittel Jessica DeWeese Matthew Giles Mason Jones Jared Shriver

Older students bond with elementary kidsby MiKayla HagerReporter

High school students are greatly encouraged to bond with the elementary and mid-dle school children. Many of the little kids enjoy it because they get to spend quality time with the older kids. The high school kids enjoy taking responsibility and having fun with the elementary and middle school children.

Freshman Stephanie Holmes has fun bonding with different age groups through-out the school because it’s something different from the everyday school life.

“I like being with the younger children during T-Bird Teams because no one gets left out of the activities and we can all have fun,” Holmes said.

She always helped out with the children who were in her T-Bird Teams and made sure all the children were hav-ing fun with the best of her ability.

T-Bird Teams has definitely become a very good, once a month event by bringing the whole school together. It helps the entire student body to learn how to work together in different projects with multi-ple separate age groups.

Freshman Sarah Biettel has been a great influence on the younger children.

“I am able to bond with children who aren’t usually able to bond with others,” Bi-ettel said. Many of the young ones that Beittel spends her T-Bird Teams with appear to enjoy having her with them.

Ever since the T-Bird Teams were started up a few years back the entire school has become more united with each other. Little kids have fun being able to affiliate with the older kids. Many of the students of the entire school are happier that they know other students of various ages.

May 6, 2016 Feature Page 3

The school year is almost over and many of the faces people have gotten close to won’t be there anymore.

Skyline’s seniors are graduating and they won’t be returning. Many seniors are remaining close by and are planning to attend Pratt’s very own Pratt Community College.

“I plan to go to PCC and tentatively major in Graphic Design,” senior Briana Neifert said.

Senior Hanna Baird plans on moving to Dallas, Texas and take PCC’s online classes until she establishes residency.

Two of the seniors have signed on to college sports.

Senior Jessica DeWeese has committed to participate in track and field at Friends University.

Senior Payje Orler committed to play-ing basketball at Bethel College.

Many seniors are continuing their edu-

by Miranda Ghumm Reporter cation in their hometown Pratt, six of the

22 seniors are moving on to new things.“I’m going to the University of Kansas

and I’m thinking about majoring in something medical or business,” senior Colin Kumberg.

Close friend of Kumberg, senior Kasey Gilpin, also plans on majoring in busi-ness, but closer to home at Wichita State University.

Many of the seniors are planning on working while attending college.

Senior Bailey DeClue plans on attend-ing PCC for two years while working.

Other seniors, or senior, have not yet decided on a final destination.

Senior Betsy Giles, one of the most qualified students of Skyline, has not yet decided which college has offered the best option for her to attend. Giles said that if all else fails, she will become a pirate.

Coincidentally, the University of Kan-sas offers a class in pirating history.

A lot of these students are ready to ex-

perience the new horizon ahead of them.“I’m excited to not be in high school

next year because it’s boring and I’m ready to leave,” Kumberg said.

Senior Lucas Cason is excited to be done with high school because he’s ready to sleep in more.

In spite of the excitement of leaving and getting a new experience, many of the students are going to miss many of the memories and friends they have made at Skyline.

“I’ll miss my friends and school sports,” DeClue said. “I’ll have to be an adult.”

Those that have been at Skyline since day one feel very connected to their home of 13 years.

“It’ll be a big a change from being here since kindergarten and I’ll miss knowing everyone and the family atmosphere,” DeWeese said.

Even though they’ll be miles apart, they will be close in Skyline’s heart.

(front) Lexie Maloney, Miranda Ghumm, Betsy Giles, Ashley Mead, Briana Neifert, Payje

Orler, Jessica DeWeese, Alyssa Allphin, Bailey DeClue, Hanna

Baird. (back) Colin Kumberg, Rion Westhoff, Alex Lutz, Kasey Gilpin,

Avery Jones, Bryce McKennon, Levi Ricker, Brady McComb, Joel

Hendershot, Tracy Stimatze.

BaileyDeClueLucas CasonHannaBairdAlyssaAllphin

Alex LutzColin KumbergAvery JonesJoel Hendershot

Keigan RiggsLevi RickerPayje OrlerBriana Neifert

April 14, 2016 May 6, 2016 Senior Feature

JessicaDeWeese Miranda Ghumm Betsy Giles Kasey Gilpin

Lexie Maloney Brady McComb Bryce McKennon Ashley Mead

Tracy Stimatze Rion Westhoff

Class Motto: To achieve all that is possible, we must attempt the impossible. To be as much as we can, we must dream of being more.--Unknown

Class Flower: White Rose

Class Colors: Silver & Royal Blue

Page 5

Page 6 Sports May 6, 2016

Despite the busy end of year sched-ule, the track team has continued to make great accomplishments.

The Kiowa County meet last Friday was canceled due to rainy weather and will not be rescheduled.

The girls’ team took home second place and the boys’ placed fifth at Hoisington on Tuesday.

Athletes have been trying new events and pushing themselves hard-er every meet to improve. The hard work is paying off.

The boys’ team placed tenth at the John E. Swinehart Norwich Invita-tional with 29 points and girls tied for sixth with Attica with an even 40 points. The meet had 14 teams that competed.

CARSON LEE, 10Q: What is one goal you have for

yourself this season?A: I want to make it to State in

javelin.Q: What is your favorite event and

why?A: Javelin because it seems to come natural to me and it’s just a fun event to see how far you can get the Javelin.

Q: Who is someone you look up to and why?

A: My brother because from 7th grade he said he wanted to throw the discus at State and he worked at it until he achieved that.

Q: If you could pick one event to try for one meet what would it be?

A: Long or triple jump.Q: What do you think has been the hardest challenge to

overcome this season?A: Starting out the season throwing quite a bit less than I did

last year.Q: What are some of your favorite things about the coaches?A: They joke around with us and they try to just have normal

conversations with us during practice.Q: What is a team goal you would like to see everyone accom-

plish this year?A: I wanna see everyone PR multiple times and I wanna see

the guys team win a meet.

KAYLEY COOK, 9Q: What is one goal you have for

yourself this season?A: To take at least two seconds off

my 100m hurdles. Q: What is your favorite event and

why?A: My favorite event is the 4x100

because it takes team work, so every-one has to do their part.

Q: Who is someone you look up to and why?

A: I look up to Sydney the most because she went to State as a freshman which shows me that it’s possible to go as a fresh-man and she is outstanding in every sport she does.

Q: If you could pick one event to try for one meet what would it be?

A: Javelin.Q: What do you think has been the hardest challenge to

overcome this season?A: To get back into my hurdle routine because we don’t really

have a hurdle coach this year.Q: What are some of your favorite things about the coaches?A: They like to have fun with us. They aren’t always serious.

They can joke around. Q: What is your favorite part of each meet?A: Getting to see different schools more than just once in the

season.Q: What is a team goal you would like to see everyone ac-

complish this year?A: To get a new personal best.

Track athletes push themselves to successby Hallee Burgardt Reporter

courtesy photo

Freshman Dalton Kenworthy competes at Hoisington. Ken-worthy was a distance runner and he was also a cross coun-try runner. He was one of five freshmen boys out for track.

The boys’ 4x8 team, juniors Kendall Davidson and Garrett Bell and freshmen Dalton Kenworthy and Colby Shriver placed fifth with a time of 10:54. This group ran long distance together all season and they all participated in cross country.

“I think that we have a strong 4x8 team,” freshman Colby Shriver said. “We’ve all ran cross country together so we’re used to each other.”

The team has five seniors out. They help contribute to a lot of the points.

“I feel like overall we did good as a team,” senior Brady McComb said. “We had multiple kids place in their respective events.”

The team competes at Bucklin to-day and should have a good turnout for the meet.

May 6, 2016 Sports Page 7

NBA playoffs continue to build anticipationby Andrew Withers Reporter

Of the many hobbies that some high school students partake in, one is keep-ing up with the much anticipated NBA playoffs.

The games begin in the middle of April and end around the middle of June. After an extensive 82 game regular sea-son, the top eight teams from the Eastern and Western conferences go against each other and try to will themselves to the NBA Finals with a chance of taking home the NBA championship trophy. These games are played in a bracket style, best of seven series.

The two one seeded teams are the Golden State Warriors from the Western Conference and the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Eastern Conference. Coming out with the win in last year’s matchup against the Cavaliers in the Finals, and finishing the season with a record high number of 73 wins this regular season, the Warriors are the likely favorite to win it again. The other top seeds standing in their way are the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the defending Eastern Conference Champion Cavaliers.

“I like the Thunder because they are a team full of all-stars and they are a team that’s close to Kansas,” junior Jared Shriver said.

Though these top seeds are the favor-ites to win the title, there are 16 teams in the playoffs, and with the league being so talented across the board, there is a chance that the underdog teams can upset the bigger teams.

Injuries and fatigue from the 82 game regular season can also be a factor on how the teams perform in the playoffs. Major injuries in the playoffs include the reigning league MVP Stephen Curry from the Warriors, and Chris Paul and Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers.

“I am excited for the playoffs because the intensity of the games is much higher, and the teams try harder compared to the regular season,” senior Alex Lutz said.

Students are excited to see the how their favorite teams perform and see who will win the championship.

May 6, 2016 Sports Page 7

NBA playoffs continue to build anticipationby Andrew Withers Reporter

Of the many hobbies that some high school students partake in, one is keep-ing up with the much anticipated NBA playoffs.

The games begin in the middle of April and end around the middle of June. After an extensive 82 game regular sea-son, the top eight teams from the Eastern and Western conferences go against each other and try to will themselves to the NBA Finals with a chance of taking home the NBA championship trophy. These games are played in a bracket style, best of seven series.

The two one seeded teams are the Golden State Warriors from the Western Conference and the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Eastern Conference. Coming out with the win in last year’s matchup against the Cavaliers in the Finals, and finishing the season with a record high number of 73 wins this regular season, the Warriors are the likely favorite to win it again. The other top seeds standing in their way are the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the defending Eastern Conference Champion Cavaliers.

“I like the Thunder because they are a team full of all-stars and they are a team that’s close to Kansas,” junior Jared Shriver said.

Though these top seeds are the favor-ites to win the title, there are 16 teams in the playoffs, and with the league being so talented across the board, there is a chance that the underdog teams can upset the bigger teams.

Injuries and fatigue from the 82 game regular season can also be a factor on how the teams perform in the playoffs. Major injuries in the playoffs include the reigning league MVP Stephen Curry from the Warriors, and Chris Paul and Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers.

“I am excited for the playoffs because the intensity of the games is much higher, and the teams try harder compared to the regular season,” senior Alex Lutz said.

Students are excited to see the how their favorite teams perform and see who will win the championship.

Page 8 News May 6, 2016

Summer brings busy schedules for studentsby Justin HampelReporter

August 13

Cross Country Splash and Dash

July 12

Post Camp with Coach Eddy

July 6-9

HS Cheer Camp

July 5

Guard Camp with Coach Eddy

June 28

Shooting Camp with Coach Eddy

June 13-17

HS Cross Country Camp

June 6-9

HS Volleyball Camp

June 1-3

HS FootballCamp

May 31-June 26

Skyline Summer Basketball League

May 31

Football Lift-A-Thon

May 27-28

State Track at WSU

May 20

Regional Track at Ellinwood

Skyline students have big plans this summer that vary from athletics to activities with family.

Summer may be called the off-season, but there is very lit-tle time off for athletes. Foot-ball players have weights four days a week in the morning throughout the summer along with camp. Volleyball also has weights and a camp in the summer while cross country has a certain amount of miles they have to run throughout the off-season.

Basketball players have lots of opportunities throughout

the summer to get in the gym. The boys’ and the girls’ teams each play in the Skyline Sum-mer League and the boys’ go to a team camp at K-State, while the girls’ go to a team camp at Wichita State. Assistant boys’ coach Kenny Eddy has one-on-one training available for anybody that wants to get into the gym over the summer. He also has three camps that he will put on this summer for $30 each with all proceeds going to a Dr. Dish basketball shooting machine.

“This summer I plan on working and lifting weights for football,” sophomore Will Wiltshire said. “Also I plan on playing summer league

basketball and swimming in my pond.”

There is more going on in people’s lives than sports this summer. A lot of students are looking forward to just spend-ing some time relaxing while many others have plans to go on family vacations or other family activities.

“I plan on traveling a lot this summer,” freshman Sarah Beittel said. “We are going to Florida, New York, Ohio and a few other places. It’s going to be a busy summer, but I can’t wait.”

Summer is a busy season for many people, but the time off of school is a joy to everyone.

Summer Events

I plan on go-ing to Louisiana this summer to hang out with

my grandparents and go fishing.

-Gabriel Flanders, 9