play

Maize High School. 11600 W. 45th St. N, Maize, KS 67101

read. watch. play.VOL7.ISSUE1.SEPTEMBER2012

ConneCtingBuilding relationships key for new principal Page 5

TextingTurbulence

Page 12

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Above Students in Stan Bergkamp’s Advanced Placement physics class study projectile motion in the atrium Sept. 10 by launching a marble and measuring flight time to determine the actual velocity. Cover New principal Chris Botts wants to connect with students. Photo By MAtt PoGUE

rAISe YoUr voICe bY USING YoUr WorDSSubmit a letter to the editor for the october issue to D18 or to mhsnewsmag@gmail.com

For the latest updates on scores, news and more, check out Play newsmagazine online at http://myhsj.org/mhsnewsmag or click on the link on the MHS website.

Play is the official newsmagazine for and by Maize high School students. Play is published six times throughout the year. Play is a student publication and a forum for public opinion. Letters to the editor should be signed and around 300 words. the editorials and columns are the sole opinion of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USD 266 Board of Education, the administration, the faculty or the adviser. Printed by City Print

Play newsmagazine staff

BE’LE BENARD

tABLE oF CoNtENtS

editor-in-chiefashley golden

managing editorjordan watkinsphoto editor

brittany neigenfindad managerdagny castelli

reportersgabby hermesnick mathiasaleah millinerjustin noble

photographermatthew pogue

photographers & reporters

béle benardcheyenne esserhannah henricksdevan horning

alexis loudermilkmaite menendez

rachel rekoadviser

dan loving

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NeWSChris Botts begins first year at Maize high.

05

teacher nominated for award;Janitor brings smiles.

06

Students work through difficulty, keep positive; club’s keep students busy.

STUDeNT LIFe14

LIFeSTYLeSLongboarding has become a popular activity among teens.

08

11 eDITorIALStudents should give dances a second chance after rule and format changes.

16halftime performances at football game Sept. 14.

PHoTo FoCUS

10Reporter shares family’s struggle with cancer; freshman requests respect.

oPINIoN

12 NoW PLAYINGtechnology may have negative effects.

23Meet the students inside the Eagle at games.

SPorTS

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NEWS

Chris Botts didn’t plan on leaving Complete High School Maize. He loved his job at the

small alternative school of 60 students. But when Maize High’s 1,400 students needed a new prin-cipal, he decided it was a challenge he wanted to take on. “I wanted to see if I could do it,” Botts said. “I wanted to see if I could bring my personality and the things I believe to Maize High School.” Botts worked at Complete for 14 years, his last seven in administration. Kristy Custer, who has replaced Botts as principal of Complete, said he is a servant leader who enjoys seeing others happy. “The character trait that I most admire about him is his work ethic,” she said. “There may be people who know more than Chris, but there are few people who will ever outwork him.” He received his bachelor’s in secondary-edu-cation math from Kansas State University before completing his master’s in school leadership from Baker University. He is working on getting his doctorate from Kansas State. Botts and his wife, Mollie, a 1995 Maize grad, have a 4-year-old daughter named Reese and a 6-month-old son named Braylon. Botts said his transition to Maize High has gone well. “People have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and comfortable,” he said. The size of the school was the biggest difference that Botts has had to adjust to. “I knew it was going to be big, but I guess I didn’t know how big,” he said. Botts wants students to enjoy their time in high school. He envisions a more open, more con-nected Maize High. “I loved high school; it was a great experience for me,” he said. “My goal is to make it a great experience for every student here.” Botts plans to accomplish that goal by helping students and staff members build “relationships that can last for a lifetime.” “I want students to have that connection to a teacher and teachers to have that connection to a student,” he said. Custer said “his ability to think outside of the typical brick and mortar school will be a breath of fresh air to the Maize High School staff.” Botts said that if students and staff come to Maize High with a good attitude and excitement for their school, “everything will take care of itself.” “If we can create an environment that kids want to be at, that teachers are happy to be at, the po-tential is unlimited,” he said. “You can accomplish anything in education when you have those two things.”n

New principal begins first year with optimism

By Jordan Watkins

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316-942-6886

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Get updated with PlaySports, clubs, activities and columns by Play staff members are made convenient for you

on the Play newsmagazine websiteLearn about Maize’s foreign exchange students online

Visit us at http://my.hsj.org/mhsnewsmag

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Matt PoguEPrincipal Chris Botts began at Maize High this year after spending 14 at Complete.

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NEWS

Science teacher Jay Super has been nominated for the Teacher of the Year award by the Kansas State

Department of Education.“It’s a huge honor and very cool,” Su-

per said of the nomination.Super, who teaches botany, zoology

and essentials of chemistry and phys-ics, was one of 10 secondary teachers from the area to be nominated. He was a runner-up in the competition and was awarded a marble apple for being a semifinalist.

“Super is a great teacher because he is very informative and helps you when-ever you don’t know something,” senior Kennadie Adams said.

Super’s classroom is home to more than 20 animals he uses to teach. Dar-win, Mr. Slick, Bonnie and Clyde are a few of them.

“The pets help me teach because in Zoology we talk about arthropods, rep-tiles and fish,” he said.

Not only does Super use his classroom creatures with his students, but he also shares them with third graders in the district.

“Having elementary students come over is something we’ve done for a long time,” he said.

Soon there will be more than just Su-per’s animals to visit. There will be a new addition to the science department this

year: an aquarium placed in front of sci-ence teacher William Kruse’s classroom.

The idea was brought on by a dona-tion of a large fish tank last year. The tank will include native Kansas fish such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch, crappie, catfish and more. Around the aquarium will be a native Kansas ecosystem.

The tank’s stand was cleaned and painted by one of Dan Kern’s shop classes and is now in its spot in G hall.

Science teacher Wayne Sill will take care of the tank at first but he hopes it will become a shared process between the science teachers. The completion date is still unknown.n

SuperTeacherBy Gabby Hermes

PHO

TOS

BY M

ATTH

EW P

OG

UE

Jay Super gets nominated for Teacher of the Year

If you’re trying to put your finger on the most spirited person at Maize, you might start with the members of Red Rage. Maybe that

student decked out in all red on spirit day. But the person with possibly the most Eagle Pride isn’t even a student at Maize. “It’s a great day … to be an Eagle” is a com-mon phrase students hear from head custodian John White. White, who has been a custodian at Maize since 2010, isn’t the average, keep-to-himself janitor. He is constantly fist-bumping students, asking how their day is going, and he never fails to do it with a smile. White is also a huge fan of Maize athletics. He attends games rain or shine, home or away. He said his easy-going, talkative personality helps him connect with students. “I’m a kid at heart,” he said. “Gotta be. Other-wise, you’ll get old quick.” The students at Maize feel the connection as well. “He’s very motivational. He’s all about the kids and he’s full of spirit. He motivates me and

keeps me going when I’m down,” senior Dane Byfield said. White said his job is rewarding in many ways, not only because of the students he meets and faculty he works with, but also because his wife, Stephanie White, works at Maize. Stephanie, who has been at Maize for 13 years, is an IDL facilitator and a technology assistant. John, pre-viously a car salesman for 20 years, prefers his hours at Maize over the car-lot hours. “One huge advantage is that I get to be with my wife on the weekends now,” he said. “The biggest car sales day is Saturday, so I didn’t see her much on the weekends.” And even though White isn’t related to any of the students at Maize, he treats them as if they were his own. “Every kid is important,” he said. “That’s the problem with the world, adults won’t let the kids speak. I listen. Everyone should think kids are important. You guys are our future. Every kid wants to be heard, right? The world would be a lot better if everyone could speak and be heard, too.”n

John White redefines ‘spirit’ at Maize by showing interest in student life

PHO

TOS

BY B

ÉLE

BEN

ARD

By BéLe Benard

“I’m a kid at heart. Gotta be.

Otherwise, you’ll get old

quick.”JOHN WHITE

Science teacher Jay Super’s classroom is filled with animals that he uses to help him teach. Some are, from top to bottom, a tarantula, a corn snake and a bearded dragon.

John

janitorMORE T

HA

N

just a

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There is a new scene on the streets. Longboarding, similar to skate-boarding, has recently become popular to students. Longer and wider than skateboards, students say they prefer the longboards.

“Longboarding makes me feel like Superman,” sophomore Rachel Pu-sateri said.

Pusateri has been longboarding since June and learned how to “pop shove it” from her 40-year-old small group leader. The trick involves the board spinning 360 degrees while the boarder stays in the same position.

Junior Zack Manuel enjoys longboarding for the freedom and the fun. “I like the chill atmosphere of it,” Manuel said.

His favorite place to ride is in the parking garages in downtown Wichita, a popular spot for local boarders.

Senior Zac Warwick enjoys longboarding because “it gives off a surf-ing vibe.” His interest began freshman year when he watched older guys boarding, but he really got into it this past summer.

Although a fun activity, accidents can occur. “The first day I got my board I was riding down 29th Street. The side-

walk was sketchy and I hit the tiles and flew straight out 10 feet, slid and gashed my shoulder open,” Warwick said.

Longboarding has resulted in a dislocated shoulder, several ER visits and road rash for art teacher Dylan McCanlies, but that has not halt his riding.

McCanlies, who has been boarding since he was 11, buys blank boards and designs the graphics for them.

Popular longboard brands include Sector 9, San Clemente, Arbor, and Landyachtz. Boards are available at Zumiez in the Towne East Mall or online. Warwick, for instance, bought his Gravity Las Olas Dropkick long-board from thelongboardstore.com.

Junior Curtis Knutson began longboarding a few months ago. He enjoys the sport because “you don’t need a partner. It’s really relaxing.”

These days, longboarding is all the rage. “Get one, go ride around and you will figure out how fun it is,” Knutson

said. “At first I thought it looked dumb, but then I rode for a while and fell in love with it.”n

Students ditch skateboards for a new kind of ride

One of four longboards art teacher Dylan McCanlies has designed.

LIFESTYLES

By Aleah Milliner and Hannah Henricks

LongBoarding

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PHOTO BY BRITTANY NEIGENFINDSophomore Rachel Pusateri stands with her Pintail longboard.

PHOTOS BY HANNAH HENRICKSJunior Curtis Knutson demonstrates how to slide on his longboard.

“Get one, go ride around, and you will figure out how fun it is.”

Curtis Knutson

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COLUMN EDITORIAL

Freshman year can be an overwhelming and scary year.

What doesn’t help the scary part is when upperclassmen are rude.

For example, one day I was trying to find some friends during lunch when I walked by someone and heard them say:

“These dang freshmen don’t know what they’re doing or where they’re going,” in a snobby voice. The one word that could describe me at that moment was furious.

I know that not all upperclassmen are like this. The ones I know are very nice, they know the situations we are in. We’ve all been freshmen before. We all know how scary it was to go to a place that is completely different than what we are use to. High school is a huge step from middle school. So help us out. Don’t complain about us. Chances are you were in the same position once.

You have to give respect to get respect. We give you respect.

Where’s ours? That’s all I want, a little respect. We’re all humans. We all make mistakes. It just seems that when a freshman makes a mistake everyone voices an opinion. It just doesn’t seem right. Make us feel welcome at Maize, not like we’re marching into a death camp.

Upperclassmen are the role models of the school. Be a good role model. Freshmen look to you as an example at Maize. When I am a sophomore next year, I’m going to do whatever I can to help the freshmen. It’s completely new surroundings, new teachers and we aren’t the oldest group anymore. We just got done being the oldest, and now we’re stuck being the youngest again.

A little respect and some help every once in awhile will not kill you. At least I hope it won’t. We are all humans and I believe that every human deserves respect. Don’t treat us like nobodies.n

School dances are fun and can bring the school together, adding to school spirit.

But Maize dances in recent years have had lousy attendance, especially from disinterested upperclassmen and

limitations on dancing.The time is now to come together and journey

into a new era. StuCo member senior Kenzie Mayta is encour-

aging all students to attend this year with a new outlook and spirit.

“We want more upperclassmen to join in this year because they are the ones who represent the school and are the leaders to the younger kids, and we want them to follow and attend the dances,” she said.

Principal Chris Botts also encourages students to attend.

“When I was in high school we went to school dances and had fun, and that’s what I want the kids here at Maize to do. I want them to go and remem-ber their times in high school.”

With this in mind, Botts will restrict dancing as little as possible and allow students to be them-selves and have fun.

To promote having more fun, StuCo decided on the homecoming week’s theme “Throwback to an Era of Fun.” During spirit week leading up to the game, students are dressing from different eras to amp up the excitement.

StuCo sponsor Christina Kerbs is excited for the dance, believing that there will be an increased turnout with school spirit on the rise.

The dance will “hopefully get the spirit to move over from the game,” Kerbs said.

The color-filled dance will start directly after the homecoming game Friday. The dance will be outside in front of the school until 11:30 p.m.

With new rules, a new location and a new out-look, the homecoming dance should be enjoyed by all students, including upperclassmen.n

ThrowbackMore students should attend dances to make the most of their high school experience

I knew something was wrong right away. My mom was on the phone with

my older sister Haley and reassuringly told her to calm down and breathe. “Myles has leukemia,” my mom slipped out before the tears came. Myles Gilbert, Haley’s boyfriend, is 19 years old and facing the battle of his life. The days after that phone call dragged on. It seemed like there was always a new problem with him. After three days of being in the hospital, he got more bad news. The doctor told him he has a bad heart and needed surgery to repair the damage. I cried knowing such a young person is having to deal with this pain in life. The next day, doctors moved him to a cancer hospital in Kansas City. I never would have guessed Myles would be the person to get cancer. I never thought he would have heart failure. I never would have dreamed that a healthy person had so many problems. I think about how I live my life, and I think about how fast something can

happen to someone. I know I have to change the way I live. Myles has changed my life and my family’s lives forever. I see the world differently. I know I can’t waste a day. My

sister has a new way of living, also. She wants to be healthy, finish college, and be the best person she can be for the guy she loves. When I walk through the hallways, I wonder how he is doing. He is the type of person not to let this get him down. Myles tells me the hospital is like being in prison but with nicer security guards. He makes fun of me because I’m at school and he is in bed watching TV all day. He makes jokes saying he should just tattoo his ID wristband to his wrist since it never comes off anyway. He makes it all seem happy when it’s a sad thing, but that’s just the person he is. I always hoped I could be that person who could say I have never known anyone with cancer. I thought wrong. You just want to help them, but there is nothing you can do besides pray. My heart goes out to all the families who have had a loved one with cancer. It’s not an easy thing to live with, but you have to keep living.n

Why can’t we be friends?Freshman feels unwelcome, wants respect

Facing the Battle

By Cheyenne Esser for the Play editorial board

By Hannah Henricks

By Justin Noble

COURTESY PHOTOMaize graduates Haley Henricks and Myles Gilbert.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRITTANY NEIGENFINDFreshman Justin Noble hangs out with senior football players Matt Mar and Blaise Fountain. ILLUSTRATION BY BE’LE BENARD

into an era of fun

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NOW PLAYING

Technology has made today’s teens more social and connected than ever before. A thought can be shared with a friend instantly at any time, and information about friends is easily accessible.

However, the laugh has been replaced with an “LOL” and the

hug has been replaced with a smiley face on a screen. This leaves some wondering if replacing face-to-face interaction with acronyms and emoticons have a negative effect on teens’ communication skills.

According to the Pew Research Center, 54 percent of teenagers said they text their friends daily, but only 33 percent said they talk to their friends in person daily.

Although they are communicating, social skills are gained through experience. Staring at a screen doesn’t provide a personal social experience.

“I think what’s lost is the facial expression and gesturing, the vocal inflection,” speech teacher Sherry Pfeifer said. “If you’re not communicating face to face, you’re not utilizing those skills.”

The Kaiser Family Foundation said that Americans between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an average of 7 1/2 hours a day using some sort of electronic device. That’s time not spent socializing in person.

Pfeifer said she believes electronic communication is taking a toll on students’ abilities to communicate in person.

“The expressive aspect of conversation has

diminished because of texting,” she said. “Adults will say call me; kids will say text me.”

Even with the research explaining how technology can negatively affect communication skills, some people say increased use of technology could be improving those skills.

“I think they are probably writing more than they did previously,” said Lou Heldman, interim director of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University.

Heldman said texting, which involves writing and technological skills, involves critical thinking.

“Texting uses a different part of the brain than face to face communication,” he said.

Most researchers agree that it is simply too soon to tell what effects changes in communication habits will have on the next generation.

“Probably when the telephone came along, there was some group of professors and parents who said this was a terrible thing,” Heldman said. “Society works its way through the change.”

Because people want to stay constantly connected, their attachment to technology has increased rates of texting while driving, causing more than 800 accidents every day.

Texting while driving is becoming as dangerous as drinking and driving in terms of inhibiting a teen’s driving abilities. Cell phone use accounts for 2,600 vehicle fatalities and 300,000 collisions annually, according to Liberty Mutual Insurance Group.

Despite these statistics, many teens continue to take their eyes off the road and onto the screen.

According to Pew Research Center, 40 percent of American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger.

A study done by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that for every six seconds of drive time, a driver sending or receiving a text message spends 4.6 of those seconds with their eyes off the road.

The ever-increasing capabilities of cell phones has made the problem much wider. Although texting is most often blamed, teens can be looking at websites, posting to Facebook or downloading music, all while driving down the road.

Some of those who wouldn’t text and drive might feel safe talking on the phone while driving because they don’t have to look at it. However, research suggests that any kind of cell phone use is dangerous.

Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study.

Also, a Monash University study found that drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.

Despite these statistics, carinsurance.org states that one in three teenagers still admits to using a phone while driving, making distracted driving the number one cause of death among teenagers

While technology’s effects on communication aren’t fully known yet, its effects on driving are clear. Reading “LOL” or typing a smiley face while behind the wheel is not only illegal in Kansas, but will prove deadly for thousands of Americans this year.n

Downside to the

Changes in communication habits m

ay have consequences

by Jordan Watkins and Maite Menendez

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHEYENNE ESSER

Drop THE HABIT

Ask a passenger to read texts and reply if neccessary.

Tips to stop texting while driving

Turn off notification sounds to stop the temptation to look

When you’re in the car, put your phone where you can’t

get it.

Install an app from www.drivesafe.ly that will

read texts outloud and reply automatically.

(iOS, Android, Blackberry)SOURCE: CARINSURANCE.ORG

Devices

Library Advisory Council Margie EatonMulticultural Club Rey RamerizNational Honor Society Paula BettePeer Helpers Ron Buhrman/ Geri HickersonPep Club Jenny MeirowskySADD Campus policeScholar’s Bowl Jessica FisherScience Club Jay SuperScience Olympiad Jessica FisherSenior Advisory Board Lynn Burton-BrownSpanish Club Sherry ElderStuCo Christine Kerbs/ Staci BrownTechnology Student Assoc. Don ButlerTeens as Teachers Paula BetteThespians Kathleen Barbara

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Teens provide inspiration through perseverance

How can one remain consistently happy throughout a challenging circumstance in life? At some

point, everyone will face a problem. These teens demonstrate to the world that one can make it through difficult situations and serve as an encouragement to help others through their struggles.

Freshman Caden Middlebrooks lost his 27-year-old brother, Ryan, on May 11, 2010. Ryan left behind his wife, a 1-year-old and a baby on the way.

“I didn’t think it was true,” Middlebrooks said. “He was the jokester of the family. The first two years I was depressed, didn’t want to talk about it and was always in a bad mood. It wasn’t until [last] December that I forgave him.”

Middlebrooks best remembers his brother for his hilarious, headstrong personality.

“He was a great brother; one of the best brothers one could have.”

The best advice Middlebrooks gives to others who are dealing with challenging circumstances is to stay positive.

“Try to not be so angry,” he said. “If you hold those grudges in, it’s not a good thing. The best thing you can do is forgive them.”

Junior Craig Lehman has been battling brain cancer for nine months. His physical limitations keep him from running without falling and he uses a cane to walk. Lehman’s chemotherapy will last 16 more months. If his blood counts go bad, they have to delay the treatments. Each cycle lasts three weeks.

“I’m still me, just a little banged up,” Lehman said.

“Every time you figure out it’s real, it’s like the cancer shouldn’t be there. It’s all so surreal. It’s like it’s not even happening until they stick the needle in you.”

Lehman has missed a lot of school, so he does most of his school work at home.

“It’s not easy but not hard. It’s just frustrating.”

His faith helps him stay optimistic.“If I didn’t have someone to talk to about

this, I think I’d go insane. I’d go crazy,” he said. “You kind of have a right to be angry, but if you hold it in it causes destruction.

“Don’t let the situation get the better part of you. If you can figure out it doesn’t control you, it’s at your own mercy; not the other way around. I take it for what it’s worth. I don’t plan on giving up anytime soon.”n

Senate District 27: West Wichita, Andale, Colwich, Maize and Goddard

Paid for by D

iana Cubbage for S

enate, Don E. Lam

bdin, Treasurer To voice your concerns please go to www.dianacubbageforsenate.com

JOBS FOR KANSANS

EDUCATION

THE ARTS

PROPERTY TAXES

HEALTH KANCARE

THE DISABLED

FAMILIES

THESE ISSUES ARE WORTH VOTING FOR!!

LOWER

By Rachel RekoMaize has more

than 30 clubs available to students. Twenty-one clubs had booths at the club fair Sept 7 with representatives ready to give information and sign-up new members.

The club fair occurs annually in September to increase club participation and to publicize upcoming events and new clubs.

Interested in joining a club? Use the information provided and get involved.

Club Sponsor(s) Club Sponsor(s)Art Club Terry Bussart/Beth JanssenAviation Club Wayne SillBPA Penny McAnultyConservation Club Jody JohnsonCrafting/Sewing Club Elizabeth MansDECA Pat Snyder/Dana HandyDisaster Relief Club Elizabeth GraberDrama Club Kathleen BarbaraEco-Meet Jay SuperFrench Club Sandy NitcherFriendship Club Denise Hogan/ Thea HarroaldGame Club Curtis ShephardGerman Club Jeremy BernardInteract Club Dave WalkerJapanese Club Jay SuperKAYs Suzanne McKaig

Knowledge Masters Leigh Johnson

Variety of clubs available for students

By Alexis Loudermilk

Freshman Caden Middlebrooks’ brother died two years ago.

Junior Craig Lehman still participates in band while fighting cancer.

RACHEL REKO

ALEXIS LOUDERMILK

Never give up

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septemberplay17

PHOTO FOCUS

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And the band played on The Maize band and color guard dedicate time inside and outside of school to improve their performances. They showcase their talents at every home football game along with many events and concerts throughout the year. The band and color guard received all ones at the state competition Sept. 10 at the Kansas State Fair. “It really pays off and I think that everyone is really proud,” junior Enzie Riddle said.n

DEVAN HORNING

HANNAH HENRICKS

HANNAH HENRICKSRACHEl REKO

CHEyENNE ESSER

septemberplay19

SPORTS

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Fall FrenzyActivity surrounds Maize with sports in full swing

JUSTIN NOBLEJunior Sydney Roy, right, runs at a cross country meet in Emporia. The girls were second and the boys first at the meet. The girls and boys teams are ranked in the most recent coaches association polls.COURTESY PHOTO

The girls golf team is led by Taelyn Entriken, who set a school record earlier this season.

MAITE MENENDEZThe volleyball team is 14-5 and finished fourth in the Maize tournament. “We have improved a lot lately,” sophomore Dayley Handy said.

CHEYENNE ESSERKailey Utech is one of six seniors on the girls tennis team. “We have a solid varsity team,” assistant Jeremy Bernard said. “We have quite a bit of depth because of the numbers.”

RACHEL REKO

ABOVE: Blaine Rodman gets off a shot in the Eagles’ 6-0 victory over Salina South earlier this month. The Eagles won four of their first six games this season.

septemberplay21

SPORTS

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By Devan Horning and Justin Noble

A Yearto Remember

As twenty-seven seniors walk onto the field every Friday night, they know this will be their final season on the Maize football team. They

prepare to play each game as if it will be their last.

“My favorite part about Maize football is the team,” said senior wide receiver Dane Byfield, who is out for the year after injuring a knee in the second game of the season. “We’re a big ol’ family.”

With these players together for the past four years, and for some even before that, they’ve grown close. A lot

of them have known one another for most of their lives. They spent much of the offseason together to prepare for the upcoming season. Once their senior year ends, they hope to continue the bond they have.

They have many shared memories. Byfield recalls how former coach Craig Broadbend, now an assistant principal, would dance to the Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” before every football game. Wide receiver Jordan Schultz remembers defeating rival Goddard 41-8 in the final game last season.

“My favorite part about the team is the

players, because they push me to be a better player,” Schultz said.

The seniors are trying their best to leave their mark on Maize.

“I’m just excited about the opportunities we have,” coach Gary Guzman said. “We have a very competitive team.”

Guzman said having such a large group of seniors is an advantage because the players have been through big games and big opponents.

“I think they’re very close,” he said. “They spend a lot of time together in the offseason, and that will help us (reach)

some goals.”The season started strong, with a 49-25

victory over Newton.But two lopsided losses — a 43-14 loss

at Salina South and a 41-0 loss to Derby in the Eagles home opener — left Maize with a 1-2 record after three games.

Still, there is still time to make memories. After this week’s Homecoming game against Salina Central, Maize will play at Haysville before entering district play against Garden City, Dodge City and Hutchinson.

“I like the makeup of the team,” Byfield said.

“I think that we have a lot of weapons on our team and people underestimate us.”

When the year is over, the seniors will head their separate ways. Twelve hope to continue playing football.

“I’d love to continue the relationship

with the guys after high school,” Schultz said. “They’re all great guys who I’ve developed a great relationship with.”

They hope they will have left behind a legacy of hard work and determination for those who will follow them.

“I hope that they carry on the pride; that they won’t take playing Maize football for granted,” Byfield said.n

BRITTANY NEIGENFINDWith 27 seniors this season, the football team entered the year with high expectations.

Senior football playersNo. Name Pos. 3 Jeff Light K/P 5 Austin Lumpkins DB 7 Dane Byfield WR 8 Cooper Downs DB 9 Landon Lemuz DB 10 Zach McGuire WR 12 Dylan DeFelice WR 14 Jared Upshaw WR 15 Jordan Schultz WR 16 Zach Gilchrist DB 17 JC Bickel WR 18 Levi Koster DB 26 Ethan Stallbaumer LB 30 Brian Velo DL 31 Aaron Laursen WR 32 Cody Schellenberg DB 48 Travis Haydon WR 53 Matt Mar DL 56 Collin Nitcher OL 57 Blaise Fountain OL 65 Joseph Hamer OL 68 Spencer Baalman OL 72 Brayden Wood DL 74 Gage Woodard DL 82 Clayton Nicholas WR 98 Bobby Phillips DL 99 Brandon Loeb DL

PHOTO BY MATTHEW POGUE

Seniors Zach McGuire, Collin Nitcher and Spencer Baalman on the line getting ready to run a play at the game against Derby.

2012 varsity football schedule Aug. 31 at Newton W 49-25 Sept. 7 at Salina South L 43-14 Sept. 14 vs. Derby L 41-0 Sept. 21 at Goddard Friday vs. Salina Central 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Haysville-Campus 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Garden City 7 p.m. Oct. 19 vs. Dodge City 7 p.m. Oct. 26 vs. Hutchinson 7 p.m.

“I’d love to continue the relationship with the guys after high school. They’re all great guys who I’ve developed a great relationship with.”

Jordan Schultz

septemberplay2322playseptember

NEWSInsidethe Eagle By Nick Mathias

Go to any football game, whether

it is high school, college or pro, and every team seemingly has a mascot. Everyone at Maize knows the eagle, but who is inside the costume? This year, it’s two freshmen — Miles Medaris and Drew Hallaux — and we sat

down with them and asked them what it’s

like. Some answers have been paraphrased for

brevity and clarity.

Play: What inspired you to become the mascot?Miles Medaris: I don’t know. I

guess I thought it would be a lot of fun and really exciting.

Drew Hallaux: My dad was a mascot for KU while he was there.

P: What does your job entail?MM: I have to get the crowd pumped up and make things

more entertaining.DH: I just have to go out there and get things fired up. P: Why are or aren’t you nervous about being the mascot?MM: I just feel like when you’re in the suit you’re free to

express yourself. DH: I am not nervous. If no one can see my face, there is

no reason to be nervous. It is where I feel most comfortable. P: What are you most excited about being the mascot?MM: Going to football games and celebrating with the

crowd.DH: Homecoming. It’s the biggest game for any high

school.P: Are you planning on doing this more than one year?MM: It all depends on whether I like it or not. DH: Yes, I plan to be the mascot all four years. I just know

I’ll love being a mascot.P: Is there anything else you’d like to add?DH: Don’t try to pull the head off the mascot.n

Freshmen play part of Maize’s mascot

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Miles Medaris encourages students to yell and get excited during the first pep assembly Aug. 31.

BE’LE BERNARD