High school students split on dressing up for Halloween

       Elementary aged kids everywhere countdown the days until they can dressed up in their long awaited Halloween costumes and go door to door to get as much candy as they can in one night.  In high school aged kids, Halloween is truly a hit or miss.
       In Chadron High, it is apparent that more kids do not dress up as opposed to kids that do dress up to celebrate the holiday.  So the big question is "Do you Dress Up for Halloween, Why or Why Not?" According to Haley Watson, her family does not participate in celebrating, so she does not find it to be a big deal. Patrick Rust said, "I do not dress up anymore because I tend to hang out with my friends and watch movies rather than go out and trick or treat." Sydney Brown also agrees on not dressing up because she tends to be out of town that night.  Lastly for the majority vote, Megan Stumph said, "No, I do not dress up because I don't have anyone to dress up with, and I don't really feel the joy in the event."
      On the other side of the spectrum, some students in CHS do in fact still dress up for the holiday. For example, Shelby Blundell said, "Yes, I do dress up because it's fun, and it's my job to pass out candy." The lively Hannah Kennell also dresses up. She said, "Heck yeah I dress up cause you can go around and get candy, and it's a fun thing to do with your friends. I don't think there's ever been a year that I haven't gone out and done stuff on Halloween."

Sam Rischling Injury

   

At the Mitchell game, Sam Rischling watches the game from the sidelines after his knee surgery.

     On September 29th during Chadron High School's game against Ogallala, senior Sam Rischling suffered a season ending injury. Sam took a wrong step on a screen pass towards the visitor's side of the field.
     The verdict on the injury at first was not so bad. However, after receiving a MRI the outcome became more grim. His surgeon informed him the tear in his LCL was too bad to return this year and would need surgery. Sam said, "Stuff sucks," when asked about his reaction to the news. The injury was unique because the LCL was torn but other ligaments that usually are affected also were intact. To repair it a surgery was performed that reattached the tendon to his fibula with sutures.
     Sam hopes to be back to playing sports as soon as possible. Sam has to wear a brace for six weeks. When asked about his recovery time he said he doesn't know an exact time frame. He is doing physical therapy to rehabilitate his knee and hopes to be back to full strength soon.

Plans for fall break at CHS

     Many students and teachers at CHS have many plans during fall break next Friday October 27. Some plan to stay in Chadron while others plan to travel.

     Students like Taya Leija and Rachel Sauser-Smith are planning to sleep in on Friday. Rachel said she is going to sleep in because she does not get enough sleep during the school week. 

     Busy students like Camie Keim and Cody Madsen are going to be spending their fall break working. Cody is also going to be studying for his college classes. 

     Caleb Hill and Dallas Kelso are going to be active during their break. Caleb will be going for a run, and will also be attending a wedding in Crawford, while Dallas is going to be climbing the roof.

     Keelynd Clinton and Katie Lewin are going to be participating in school activities next Friday. Keelynd will be participating in playoffs in football Friday, and Katie will be traveling back home from FFA Nationals.
     Many students like Megan Kickland, Hailey Watson, and Trev Clements are going to be hanging out with their families. Trev plans to see his grandmother over fall break.
     There are going to be many CHS teachers travelling for fall break this year like Mrs. Maribeth Moore, companion animals teacher, is going to be returning seven of the FFA team to nationals.
     The CHS English teacher, Mrs. Rachel Girard, is going to be traveling to Lincoln for a wedding.
     Mrs. Brenda Budler, foods and personal finance teacher, is going to be travelling to Des Moines, Iowa, to visit her mother, brother, and sister in law.
     There will be teachers who will be busy doing school activities, like Mr. Mike Lecher, football coach and science teacher. Lecher will be coaching a football game in Chadron for playoffs. 

National FFA

    On Tuesday, October 24, 7 members of the Chadron FFA chapter will be on their way to the National FFA convention for the first time since the chapter has been restarted in Indianapolis, Indiana.
     To qualify for the exciting event, 4 members had to win both district and state competitions in Livestock Management. Hunter Hawk, Katie Lewin, Cody Madsen, and Beau and Drew Jersild made up the winning team. Due to other activities, two members of the team could not attend the National Convention, so Mackenzie Scoggan will fill their place.
     The Livestock Management competition is a combination of tests about a variety of different animals and equipment associated with the different species. At both districts and state, there are 6 different tests. The tests include, beef, swine, sheep, horses, dairy and poultry. Because the team won first place at the state convention, they are able to participate at Nationals. The National competition is different because only poultry will be tested. Throughout the competition, members of the team will be tested on a variety of materials. Of these included are, judging live birds, both meat chickens and laying hens. In addition they will judge the chicken carcasses, and different byproducts such as chicken nuggets. The team will also be required to make a presentation and give reasons on why they judged the chickens the way that they did.
     Members of the team feel that the competition will be a good learning experience. Because the Chadron FFA Chapter is only 5 years old, resources are more difficult to come by than for bigger, older chapters. Some bigger schools around the nation are able to have poultry classes, so the Chadron chapter is at a bit of a disadvantage. Adviser Mari Beth Moore, said that members of the chapter are constantly being pushed outside of their comfort zones and are fearless. No matter what, "They will do their best no doubt about it," said Moore.
     Over the course of the trip, the members will be involved in numerous exciting activities. They will be attending the opening ceremonies where they will get the opportunity to listen to Laila Ali speak. In addition, they are planning to attend a Rascal Flatts concert, view the Indianapolis 500, and participate in an escape room.
   

Chadron High's news art teacher

     Some of Chadron High's hardest problems are finding replacements for our retired teachers. When Chadron Highs art teach Patty Bird retired CHS had to find a replacement.  With some work, Chadron High found a fantastic replacement of Travis Hencey. 
     There are plenty of reasons why he was such a good replacement. He became a teacher because he likes working with kids. He enjoys seeing their creative side and seeing how their minds work.
Hencey went to Chadron State College from 2005 to 2009 for an art degree. Then in 2014 he went back to get his teaching degree. He graduated in 2015. His previous teaching experiences before he came to Chadron High was student teaching at Upward Bound for five years. Then he taught in Halos Riverside Public Schools K-12 for one year. His best experience in learning how to teach was at Upward Bound. It was the best experience because he got to teach and work with kids for the first time. He learned many new things. Hencey said, "It was nice to test things and to prove my theories."
As a graduate of Chadron High, it's not as weird as he thought it would be teaching with his former teachers. Enough time has passed, and he got to know them. They are different people than when they taught him. He said that a wall has broken down. "It is interesting seeing the same techniques used as they taught me with, but now I understand why they used them," he said.

Most Popular Halloween Candy

     One of the most common traditions during Halloween is the distribution and eating of candy. At Chadron High School candy is popular throughout the students and staff.
   The most popular candy through the halls is the Snickers candy bar. In a close second is a bag of skittles. Behind that was a package of Reese's. Mr Nobiling said, "They are the best because there is two in a package."
     The least popular candy throughout Chadron High is black licorice. It came with comments of "It is nasty," said Logan Tiensvold, and "That stuff taste like poop," said Mark Taylor.  The next least popular candy ended up in a tie between Mounds and Candy Corn.  The majority of people preferred chocolate candy over sweet candy.
   

Interact Dictionary Trip

     On Friday, October 20th, 24 members of the Interact club distributed dictionaries to third graders at reservation schools as one of their many service projects of the year. The members distributed dictionaries to six schools, Batseland, Wolf Creek, Lady of Lourdes, Porcupine Elementary, Pine Ridge Elementary, and Loneman, according to Interact club sponsor Roger Wess. Out of the six schools that the students attended, they were only able to personally distribute dictionaries to the third graders at the first two schools, as unforeseen difficulties arose at the other four. For example, Abby Hyer, the Interact secretary, said that at Porcupine Elementary "A funeral was occurring in the gym and caused school to be out of session for the day."

     Mr. Wess said that one of the major reasons that Interact does the dictionary trip is because it "...gives students an opportunity to visit the school system on the Pine Ridge Reservation, which is literally a different culture. It is a way to have two cultures interact, and that is important." Although the trip is used to provide an educational tool to the students on the reservation and allow two cultures to mix, students who go on the trip enjoy interacting with the children. Claire Margetts, a member of Interact, said, "My favorite part is talking to all of the little kids because they are so sweet and a lot of them are very interested in the dictionaries." Abby concurred by saying, "It is also really fun to see the kids and to have a hands-on service experience."

     The process of distributing the dictionaries is quite lengthy. First, members walk into the classrooms and introduce themselves to the children, said Mande Wollesen, Interact treasurer. They also introduce their organization and explain to the students that the dictionaries are personally theirs to keep. Then, "Each member takes one and visits a kid at a table, and we talk to them about the dictionary," said Mande. After discussing the dictionary and its contents, the members discuss other things with the students to personally connect with them, such as what their favorite things to do are.

     The dictionary trip has a profound impact on the members who attend and inspires them to continue going on the trip. This year was Abby's third year on the trip. Jameson Margetts, a freshman members of Interact, said that he plans on going on the trip again, because, he said, "It was really fun."

A freshman's perspective on high school

     As we approach the second quarter of high school, freshman are learning the ropes of Chadron High. For many of them, they are liking and adjusting well to life as a high school student. In fact, Austin McCabe said, "I like all of it," referring to his favorite part of high school.
     High school offers more activities than middle school did. The students seem to appreciate that. Hanna Meier said, "My favorite thing about high school is that there are extracurricular activities for non-athletic people too." Many of the students are taking advantage of all the new activities as they are participating in many.
      The expectations the freshman had about high school were mostly completely different than they thought high school would be like. Hanna Meier said, "The middle school always told us we would have a lot of homework in high school. I figured we would be loaded with work every single night, but we were not." Madeline Pelton thought that high school would be "much harder" than it actually turned out to be.
     Compared to middle school, high school teachers have vastly different teaching styles. Austin McCabe said, "High school is more relaxed. The teachers do not rush you as much."
     Hanna Meier stated, "The teachers treat you more like adults here."
     As the school year continues, the freshman will continue to adapt and progress to being high school students.

National Honor Society New Members

 
   Six new members will be inducted into the National Honor Society on October 23rd at 7:00 in the high school auditorium. The new members include three seniors and three juniors: Logan Tiensvold, Zach Carattini, Sam Rischling, Kaylie Elliott, Dominic Nobiling and Clark Riesen. These students and the current members were selected by a group of Chadron Public Schools' faculty.
    "When I opened my letter and saw that I was accepted I felt great joy," said Clark Riesen, a new inductee. "I applied last year, but wasn't accepted. I become more involved in the community and became more responsible in my classes."
    NHS currently has a total of fifteen members, most of them seniors. To be inducted and remain a member, students must have a grade point average above 3.5 and be involved in school activities and volunteer in the community. The students in this group are some of the most involved teenagers in the Chadron Community.

Fantasy Football

   

     Fantasy football often excites NFL fans all across the nation, including those students within the walls of Chadron High School. Fantasy football is a competitive hobby which gives fans an incentive to watch teams other than their owns. Fans, or in this case, students, join leagues with their friends. Those students participate in a live mock draft in which they draft players from various teams at various positions. Obviously, the best players in every position go first. The objective is to establish the best team possible. When players get hurt, you can swap that player with another player not owned by another team. Essentially, fantasy football users are the general managers of their own "fantasy" football team.
      Fantasy football seems to be a common theme around Chadron High School. Many football fans, usually male, seem to participate. Keelynd Clinton, junior at CHS, said, "It's fun and competitive. I get to have players that I like to watch, and it's always fun to play against your friends." Sam Rischling, Luke Tiensvold and Jay Milburn also enjoy playing fantasy football because they find it very fun. Most students are in leagues with between 10 and 16 teams. Keelynd, Sam and Luke enjoy smaller leagues more because they can have "more stacked teams" compared to larger leagues. Jay enjoys larger leagues for the challenge.
     Points per reception leagues seem to be a common favorite amongst CHS students. This gives every skill player (running back, wide receiver and tight end) a point for a catch. In non-PPR leagues, players only receive points for every 10 yards rushing and receiving. Players also get points for touchdowns and two point conversions. In PPR leagues, receivers gain points for all the non-PPR criteria along with a point for every reception. Quarterbacks gain points for every 25 passing yards and for every touchdown thrown for or ran. Kickers also gain points. Keelynd, Sam, Jay and Luke all use the ESPN fantasy app for their leagues.

Chadron FBLA: New Panhandle Chapters

   

At the instillation of Hay Springs FBLA, Chadron FBLA leadership team (left to right) Brooklyn Stack, Aubree Noble, Kellie Waugh, Lauren Collins, and Brooklynn Fritzler

     Chadron's FBLA chapter has been searching for local towns that will reactivate or newly activate an FBLA chapter in their town. "It has been a struggle for a long time getting more chapters in Western Nebraska," said adviser Brenda Budler, "It is actually a goal of the state FBLA board to get more chapters activated in the western part of the state and involved in competition." Being able to add these chapters will open up new opportunities for not only these western chapters, but it will also benefit the whole Nebraska FBLA chapter.
       In regards to activating the new chapters, Mrs. Budler said that the chapters are to register online on the national FBLA website, pay a $20 activation fee and turn in membership dues for at least ten members. Chadron's FBLA chapter is then able to travel to the town and activate the new chapter after a process of reciting the FBLA creed, explaining the duties as a chapter, and going over the guidelines and rules to be followed as a chapter. "The most effort we have to put in is coordinating and traveling to the reactivated school to hold the ceremony," Mrs. Budler also said.
       These reactivated chapters will lead to many new opportunities. These will include both local benefits and those at the state level. "At the local level, more chapters makes western Nebraska stronger when it comes to competition. Area meetings and business competitions will become a normality in our area," said Mrs. Budler. "At the state level, having more chapters in western Nebraska can result in more state representation at our end of the state. There will be more events, more state officer visits and hopefully more western Nebraska members running for office!"

Chadron Boys' Cross Country- State

   

The Chadron Boys' Cross Country start their race at the home invite.

     The Chadron Cardinal Cross Country boys' team will be heading to state in Kearney, Nebraska, at the golf course, on Friday, October 20th. Twelve teams will be competing in the Class C state cross country meet with six of the boys from Chadron running.
      Mark Taylor may be going to help with times and other things he may be needed for. When asked how Mr. Uhing, the cross country coach, felt about being the first coach to take the boys to state, he said, "I am very happy for the gentleman because they earned it through blood, sweat, and flesh." He also said they were very focused. "I would say 3, 4, and 5 placings are realistic, however I would not be surprised at 2nd place because of how hard they work."
     The district placings for the boys and their times were:
     Caleb Hill, 9th place- 18.14
     Oliver Fox, 14th place- 18.31
     Nathan Burch, 16th place- 18.39
     Jared Fernau, 21st place- 19.06
     Billy Tidyman, 22nd place- 19.11
     JashwaAlan Cummings, 31st- 19.38'

CHS Golf Takes Runner-Up at State-Hickstein Takes Title

    

The Class C-5 district champs and state runner up.(Left to Right) Taurie Pourier, Alpine Hickstein, Maddi Pelton, Aubree Noble, Kat Dodd (Back) Loni Watson

     2017 marked the third year in a row the Chadron High Girls' Golf team has made it to state. The CHS golf team took home the Runner-Up title on Tuesday the 10th after a first day team score of a 382. With 20 mile per hour winds, rain, snow, and sleet, the score proved the team was tough and didn't let the elements get to them. "I told the girls after the first day that I have played a lot of competitive golf, and that’s about as bad as I’ve ever seen a tournament played in," said Coach Loni Watson.
     After seeing scores after the first day of the tournament, Coach Watson said, "They were excited but definitely had nervous energy, which I think can be a very good thing when keeping your edge." That nervous energy did prove to show good for the team. Junior Taurie Pourier shot an all time low of a 88 and senior Alpine Hickstein shot a 2 under par for a 70. The low rounds from the two golfers helped the team shoot a team low score of a 375. To make a two day team total of 757, the CHS golf team brought home the runner up trophy by a whopping 27 strokes in front of third place. "It takes a lot of composure to compete from the front of the pack. I was impressed by the girls’ ability to compete at the highest level. As far as individuals go, for Alpine and Taurie to improve strokes under pressure, it's an amazing feat," said Coach Watson.
Alpine, who shot an even par 72 on Monday, was even better over the 18 holes on Tuesday by posting a 2-under 70. Alpine carded a 34 on the front nine and finished the round with five birdies and three bogeys. The senior's score tied the best 36-hole score of 142 that was set by Doniphan-Trumbull's Danielle Lemek in 2010. Her second round 70 is also among the tournament's best. Her 70 ties four other golfers for the lowest state round in 18 holes.


Chadron Individual Scores:

Alpine Hickstein-(72-70-1420
Taurie Pourier(99-88-187)

Maddi Pelton-(112-110-222)

Aubree Noble- (105-107-212)

Kat Dodd- (106-112-218)

Fall choir concert at CHS

   

     On October 26, in the High School Auditorium the Chadron Middle School and High School choir concert will be taking place. The first concert is the 5th and 6th grade students, who will start at 6 pm, but the 7th-12th grade concert will start at 7:15. If you would like to go to the concert it is free, but they are having a cookie fundraiser afterwords.
     Why are they having this concert? "Because we want to share our work," said Mrs. Mahr, choir teacher, "We practice everyday." 5th grade will be singing jazz and folk, high school is mixed genres, and Cardinal Singers will sing songs from musicals.

New Health and PE Teacher

     Chadron High has introduced a new health and physical educational teacher, Kyle Sanders. Mr. Sanders teaches PE and health. Mr. Sanders loves the environment and plans on teaching for awhile.

     Mr. Sanders graduated from Alliance High in 2012. After that, he moved on to go to college at Chadron State. There, he took a variety of classes to get his degree. Sanders's degree is K-12 physical and health education. 

     Mr. Sanders is a part of many things in and out of Chadron High. Intermediate PE, PE 9, life time activities and health are all the classes Mr. Sanders teaches at Chadron High. In his free time, Sanders coaches 7th grade football and is going to coach freshman basketball. 

     Mr. Sanders is very happy with the position he has right now. "Getting kids active in PE and building relationships," says Mr. Sanders is what he likes about teaching.  There is a lot about CHS that Mr. Sanders likes. He said, "The positive school environment, great staff and students are what I like, and I really love the block scheduling."