Speech season returns to Chadron High

As the winter season rolls around, it brings along an array of competitive sports and activities. One of these activities is speech, which manages to attract new members every late autumn with its welcoming team and interesting sport.

"You don't have to be the fastest runner or the best shooter; everybody is welcome to join speech," said assistant coach Katy Dobry. "The team always comes together as a family a few weeks into the season, and it's a really cool feeling to be a part of that."

In speech, students choose among different events in which they want to compete. Most events are performed solo (persuasive, poetry, humorous, etc.), but some can be done as a duet or in a group ("OID" - Oral Interpretation of Drama). After choosing the events they want to do, students must either compose their own speech about a topic, or order a script online and cut it down once they receive it.

"Speech really helps the kids, both inside the classroom and out. It's like a paper; you need organization skills, a strong vocabulary, and an ability to present something in front of a group of people. It also helps students gain confidence both inside and out of the classroom," said Dobry.

Speech practices are always held after school until 4:30 or 5:00 in the evening, and are usually laid-back and relaxed. This year's practices will begin on Monday, November 10th, and run until late March. All of the meets are on Saturdays, making those who choose to participate in this sport very dedicated and willing to give up their own time to pursue this passion of theirs.

"I really like coaching speech. As a coach, you get to spend a lot of time with the kids, and forge a bond with them unlike those they may have with other teachers. You really get to know the kids on a different level. It's great to be able to watch all of them grow, especially those who participate in speech all four years of their high school career," said Dobry with a warm smile quickly spreading across her face.

Students lend a hand of help at the Fur Trade

On October 13th and 14th, Mr. Nobiling’s government classes went to the Fur Trade Museum to volunteer and help clean up for the end of the season. The third block cleaned out the garden and raked leaves, while the larger fourth block did the bulk of the raking and put new chinking on the dugout. Chinking is a mixture made up of mud, straw, and water, used to fill cracks or openings.

The reason behind the clean-up was for the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon, a re-creation of the annual fall gathering between the Native Americans and the Frenchmen back in the 1700s. The original feast occurred at Fort Ouiatenon in Indiana. There are other re-creations held across the United States, especially in Indiana, as this was one important event among fur traders.

Gail DeBuse Potter, the museum director, expressed her gratitude for the assistance, saying that the students accomplished more than she could have in a week. As a special treat, the students went back to the museum on Thursday, October 16 to tour the facility.

“I really liked helping out at the Fur Trade Museum because it gave me the opportunity to learn how easy it is to give back to the community,” said senior Josh Hill.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in a school clean-up for additional volunteer hours in the near future through Mr. Nobiling’s Government class.

Hunting season nears

One of the most enjoyed week of the winter season is deer season. People come from all around the country to come and shoot a deer, preferably a buck. The season start in 2 weeks from now but already people are preparing for the big week. Some people are out there scouting and seeing where the deer are bedding or grazing.Everyone has different ways and styles of hunting and ways to prepare. 
Jadyn McCartney said, “My father and I hunt in the mornings and evenings, and we hunt in a blind or even just on the side of a hill. I really enjoy hunting because of the rush and alone time with my Dad.” Those two reasons are why many people love hunting so much. 
Keenan Johnson said, “To prepare for hunting I clean my guns and shoot them to make sure they are sighted in.” 
Lanie Riesen’s response was very similar, she said, “I grab all of my camouflage gear and set it out for me to use in the morning."

Hunting season truly is a great time for all ages, and hunting offers a time to be close to nature. Lanie said, “Even though waking up early stinks I love going out in the field and getting the rush of getting a chance to shoot the big one.” 
These thrills are why deer season is such a monumental week.   

Opinions vary about new bathrooms

     Chadron High was lucky enough to get funding to have new bathrooms built in the high school. There are many things people like about them, but there are also things the students don't like about them as well.  
     Ashley Trent said, "The best part about the bathrooms are the lockable doors, but I hate the faucets, they never stay on." Many students would agree about the faucets. Students also believe that the automatic lights are an issue. When students are going to the restroom, the lights will randomly shut off while you are still in the stall.
     Jackson Dickerson said, "If I could change something in the bathrooms, I would but the old sinks back in, because it is nearly impossible to wash your hands in the new sink." His favorite thing about the new bathrooms is, "The fact that they are clean and smell good."
     Students love the way the bathroom looks, the way they stay clean, and the way they are set up. The automatic flushing, the new stalls, and the new body mirrors are also popular. The students are very thankful for the bathrooms, but also believe somethings could be changed.

One acts performances

     The one act team's first performance of  "The Oldest Story Ever Told," including a dinner theatre at 5:30 pm, is on November 14 at 7:30 pm. The play is to be preformed in the auditorium.
     For the dinner theatre, the play, and desserts, tickets cost $12, which should be paid for ahead of time. For the play and desserts, the cost is $5 and can be paid for at the door. The matinee is November 15 at 2 pm and it also costs $5 for admission.
     The Cinderella story is one of the oldest stories ever told in history, and although each has its own variation, all the stories are similar. "The Oldest Story Ever Told" is a combination of the African, Chinese, and Indian Cinderella stories. The play's perspective illustrates how, although each story takes place in a different country, they are all linked together in one way or another.
      "The Oldest Story Ever Told" will be preformed for K-5 and 6-12, separately, on November 20. The play will be preformed at 1 pm for K-5 and 2:35 pm for 6-12.
 

Student Tech Day

     On the last day before semester break, December 19th, the students of Chadron High School will be putting on a Tech Day by students for students. The students will report to block 1A and then be dismissed to the auditorium where there will be a guest speaker. Students will attend 4 sessions in the morning for about 30 minuets each to learn about apps, Google Drive, presentation apps etc.  Then at the end of the day there will be prizes and other rewards. A select few students chosen by the teachers will be putting on presentations, and other activities to present information on new technology to improve learning in the classroom.
     Mrs Paopao said, "After lunch, we are thinking that we'll have a quick run through of all blocks so that kids can return books and get end of the semester grades. Then we'd like to use the last 20 minutes to meet back in the auditorium to draw for prizes."
     Mrs. Paopao is thinking that teachers also might survey the students to find out their interests in technology, but they wanted to start with the teachers. After the students take the survey they will look at it to determine what kinds of sessions they want to use. Then it is up to the kids to put the presentation together and share their information.
     Mrs. Paopao said, "This allows the kids to have some guidance for the staff and some support from them as well."

Best of The West

   

The Cardinal Singers perform their set at the Sweet Singsation in October.

     This past weekend, on Saturday November 1, the Cardinal Singers competed at the annual Best of The West competition in Scottsbluff. The group performed their 13 minute show that included collections of jazz, upbeat, and ballad songs including, the Beatles and Journey classics. They performed at 12:30 on Saturday and waited till results at 4.
     The choirs they competed against in their category were Chase County, Sidney, and Mitchell. Even though a majority of the judges were impressed by the Cardinal Singers choreography and harmonic vocals, other judges found them inappropriate and provocative. In the end, the Cardinal Singers received a bronze in the 3A category.
     "The kids did well, and they need to keep their heads up high. They did an excellent job, said director, Wendy Mahr.